Method and apparatus for connecting an object to a device

Electrical connectors – Metallic connector or contact having movable or resilient... – Screw-thread operated securing part

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C439S727000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06220902

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to methods and apparatus for connecting an object to a device, employing jaws operable to grip the object.
Method and apparatus for connecting objects to devices are often found in the art of wire connection systems wherein the wire is the object and the device is some type of anchor device such as a pole or fixed member secured to the ground. Such devices typically make use of a wedge effect wherein wedge members are placed about a cable and then the cable and wedge members are received in a bush such that they become jammed in the bush thereby gripping the wire. An example of a device of this type is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,952,377 to Morell.
Many conventional wire connection devices provide for the wire to extent entirely through the device. This, however, can be a problem as the wire may interfere with the mounting of the connection device to an object. Such interference renders this type of method of connection impractical where it is desirable to neatly or compactly connect a cable to a removable connector, for example.
The connection of wires to removable connectors is conventionally achieved by receiving a wire in a portion of a lug and then soldering the wire to the lug or crimping the lug to obtain a mechanical connection to the wire. Connections formed in this manner are subject to fatigue due to mechanical flexing of the wire, oxidation of the solder, and thermal cycling, especially where the connector is required to conduct relatively high currents sufficient to create heating within the connector. Expansion and contraction of a mechanical crimped lug can occur where current is cycled through the connector, eventually degrading the connection between the wire and the crimped lug over time. Consequently, a better method of connecting a wire to a connector or, more generally, for connecting an object to a device through the use of a connector would be desirable. The present invention addresses this need.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above need is addressed by providing a method and apparatus for connecting an object to a device wherein a receptacle is connected to the device and a collet having jaws receivable in the receptacle is positioned relative to the receptacle such that the receptacle bears upon the jaws to close the jaws to grip an object disposed therein when the jaws are received in the receptacle.
The device may include a male or female connector, for example, or may include an object such as a bus bar, for example. In general, any device to which the receptacle may be secured would be suitable.
The apparatus and method are particularly well suited to grip an object such as a multi-stranded wire cable such as used to carry electric current but may alteratively to used with a solid cable. In general, the object may include virtually any elongated object capable of being received in the jaws. In one embodiment, the device may include a housing, the housing have an electrical connector thereon, for example.
Also, in one embodiment, the collet includes a base ring and the jaws include a plurality of jaws depending axially from the base ring. The base ring is receivable in the receptacle which may be formed by a wall of a housing defining an opening therein for receiving the base ring. Preferably, the housing also has an opening therein for receiving a drawing member therethrough, the drawing member having a threaded portion for engaging a threaded portion of the base ring for use in drawing the collet into the receptacle as the drawing member is rotated. As the drawing member is rotated, the camming portions on the jaws cam against the wall of the receptacle to impart radial movement to the jaws as the jaws are drawn into the receptacle, through turning of the drawing member. This radial movement provides at least a component of the gripping force provided by the jaws on the object.
In another embodiment, the housing includes a mounting portion and has an opening for receiving the drawing member disposed in the mounting portion. This facilitates mounting the housing to a mounting device by receiving the housing and at least a portion of the mounting device between the collet and the drawing member such that when the drawing member is rotated the collet and the drawing member are drawn together to squeeze the housing and at least a portion of the mounting device therebetween while at the same time closing the jaws.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of connecting an object to a device, the method comprising moving jaws of a collet into an opening defined by a receptacle of the device whereby the receptacle bears upon the jaws to close the jaws to grip an object disposed in the jaws.
Preferably, the method includes threadedly engaging a collet with a threaded portion of a drawing member and rotating a portion of the drawing member extending outside the receptacle to draw the collet and jaws into the receptacle.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a device having a receptacle and a collet having jaws receivable in the receptacle such that the receptacle bears upon the jaws to close the jaws to grip an object disposed therein when the jaws are received in the receptacle.
Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of the specific preferred embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.


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patent: 0 069 194 A2 (1983-01-01), None

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