Electrical connectors – Contact comprising cutter – Insulation cutter
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-08
2001-10-09
Paumen, Gary (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
Contact comprising cutter
Insulation cutter
C439S395000, C439S402000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06299472
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an electrical connector suitable for making electrical connections between at least two electrical conductors, which may extend transversely to each other.
A connector of the aforementioned type finds particular application in the making of electrical connections between trunk and branch lines. For example, in a detonating system, a main line, also known as a trunk line, consisting of a twisted pair of wires, is connected at spaced intervals to branch lines, each of which may comprise a pair of wires, leading to respective detonators.
The branch lines may be connected to the respective connectors under factory conditions to reduce on-site labour requirements The need then exists for a simple and reliable method of making connections h n the respective connectors and the trunk line. Preferably means should be provided for protecting the conductive parts of the connector against corrosion and, once electrical connections have been made to the connector, for rendering the connector splash- or waterproof.
The invention is described hereinafter with reference to a connector which is particularly suitable for use in a blasting system, e.g. for the mining or quarrying industry, but it is to be understood that the scope of the invention is not restricted to any specific application.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a connector which includes first and second components which are relatively movable to an intermediate position at which the components are engaged with each other in a first mode, and to an operative position at which the components are engaged with each other in a second mode, stop means which, with the components in the first mode, prevents relative movement of the components to the operative position, and terminal means on the first component which is electrically connectable to an electrical conductor which extends from the first component, the electrical conductor then interacting with the stop means in such a way that the components are relatively movable from the intermediate position to the operative position.
As used herein the word “conductor” includes a single wire conductor or multi-wire conductors
The terminal means may include a respective terminal for each wire of the conductor.
The terminal means preferably comprises insulation displacement terminals.
The terminal means may include at least a first terminal for connection to the aforementioned electrical conductor, also referred to as a trunk line, and at least a second terminal for connection to a second, or branch, conductor.
The branch conductor may be connected to the terminal means under factory conditions.
The stop means may take on any suitable form and, in one form of the invention, the stop means includes at least first and second members which are on the respective components and which are brought into abutting engagement with each other with the components in the first mode thereby preventing movement of the components to the operative position.
The first member may interact with the electrical conductor in such a way that the first member is deformed, or moved out of engagement with the second member, when the components are relatively moved towards the operative position
One component may include a first formation, which may be in the form of a recess, which is adapted to receive a protective fluent material such as a grease or similar substance. The other component may include a second formation which is complementary to the first formation and which, when the components are moved to the operative position, bears against the protective material forcing the protective material into any void or open space between the first formation and the second formation.
The connector may include first catch means for retaining the components in the first mode and second catch means for retaining the components in the second mode. The first and second catch means may be releasable by deforming or bending at least part of at least one component.
According to a different aspect of the invention there is provided a connector which includes first and second components, insulation displacement terminals on the first component for effecting electrical connections between trunk and branch lines which extend from the component, and stop means on at least one of the components which, in the absence of at least the trunk line, prevents engagement of the first component with the second component and which, in the presence of at least the trunk line, interacts with the trunk line in such a way that the first component is engagable with the second component.
The connector may include catch mans for retaining the first component in engagement with the second component.
The connector may include additional catch means for retaining the first component at an intermediate position relatively to the second component. The aforementioned stop means may be operative with the components at the said intermediate position.
Preferably the terminals are arranged so that the trunk line and the branch line are substantially at right angles to one another.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4461528 (1984-07-01), Durand
patent: 5009612 (1991-04-01), Rishworth et al.
patent: 5759065 (1998-06-01), Hatagishi
patent: 5961341 (1999-10-01), Knowles
patent: 4306868 (1994-08-01), None
patent: 43 06 868 C1 (1994-08-01), None
patent: 0 825 678 A2 (1998-02-01), None
patent: 825678 (1998-02-01), None
patent: 2 253 290 (1973-11-01), None
Derwent Abstract Accession No. 97-151617/14, Class V04 JP 09-027356 A (Sumitomo Denso KK) Jan. 28, 1997.
Derwent Abstract Accession No. 97-151617/14, Class V04 JP 09-027356 A (Sumitomo Denso KK) Jan. 28, 1997.
Gilman Alexander
Paumen Gary
Pillsbury & Winthrop LLP
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