Electrical connectors – Contact comprising cutter – Resiliently biased
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-17
2001-04-03
Bradley, Paula (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
Contact comprising cutter
Resiliently biased
C439S437000, C439S439000, C219S536000, C219S541000, C392S501000, C392S455000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06210208
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to electrical connectors used to connect the heating element of a heating unit installed in a water heater or the like, and more particularly, to a quick connect terminal and terminal block which provides a simplified way of connecting electrical leads to the heating element, this being accomplished without the use of screwdrivers or similar type tools.
Heating units used in water heaters are well-known in the art. Conventional units include a screwplug which is screwed into a threaded opening in a sidewall of a water heater tank. The heating element has an elongate U-shape and extends well into the interior of the tank. Terminal ends of the heating element extend through the screwplug for electrical leads to be connected to the respective ends of the heating element. These connections have heretofore typically been made by soldering an end of the lead to an end of the heating element, by wrapping a portion of the lead about a screw and threading the screw into a threaded hole using a screwdriver, or by otherwise permanently connecting the two together. A drawback with these previous techniques is that they involve a great deal of manual labor which adds to the time and cost of completion of the assembly.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Among the several objects of the present invention may be noted the provision of a resistance heating unit for use in a water heater, the heating unit being a screwplug type unit having a heating element with terminal ends which extend through the screwplug;
the provision of such a heating unit employing a new method of attaching the terminal ends of the heating element into an electrical circuit by which current is directed through the heating element to heat the water;
the provision of such a new method to include, in combination, a terminal quick connect and a terminal block in which the terminal quick connect is installed;
the provision of such a method to employ a separate quick connect for connecting each end of the heating element with an electrical lead, both quick connects being installed in the terminal block;
the provision of each terminal quick connect to separately engage an end of the heating element and the electrical lead to which the heating element connects;
the provision of each terminal quick connect to be of an electrically conductive material with the end of the heating element frictionally fitting into one portion of the quick connect, and the electrical lead being captured at another portion of the quick connect;
the provision of each terminal quick connect to include a slot in which the electrical lead is captured, the lead being readily and automatically inserrtable into the slot and not requiring manual labor to complete the electrical connection;
the provision of each terminal quick connect to permanently secure the end of the heating element and the electrical lead together;
the provision of the terminal block to be an electrically non-conductive material and to include provisions for separately securing each terminal disconnect in place and electrically isolated from each other so the terminations cannot short together;
the provision of such a terminal block in which the terminal quick connects are easily installed and from which they cannot be removed or dislodged; and,
the provision of such a new method of installation which simplifies manufacture of the heating unit, eliminates current manufacturing steps so to lower the manufactured cost of a heating unit, yet which provides a reliable heating unit which is readily installed in a water heater.
In accordance with the invention, generally stated, apparatus is provided which facilitates electrical connection of a heating element used in a water heater heating unit. The heating unit is a screwplug type unit having a body through which the ends of the heating element pass. A separate terminal quick connect frictionally engages each end of the heating element. The electrical lead which connects with the end of the heating element is separately engaged by the terminal quick connect so the end of the heating element is electrically connected in the circuit supplying power to the heating unit. A terminal block attaches to an outer face of the screwplug. The terminal block has a set of openings in it in which the terminal quick connects are received. The terminal quick connects each have a tab received in a slot formed in the terminal block to secure the terminal quick connects to the terminal block. Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3629794 (1971-12-01), Kourimsky
patent: 3646582 (1972-02-01), Van Alphen et al.
patent: 3916149 (1975-10-01), Skinner
patent: 4036545 (1977-07-01), Mysiak et al.
patent: 1536189 (1978-12-01), None
patent: 2049307 (1980-12-01), None
Barnes Ronald L.
Cockrell Robert K.
Bradley Paula
Emerson Electric Company
Polster Lieder Woodruff & Lucchesi L.C.
Ta Tho D.
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