Pivoting Cutter Patents (Class 439/410)
  • Patent number: 11901680
    Abstract: A power distribution system includes a plurality of wires extending between a first end and a second end. The wires extend continuously between the first and second ends. Each wire includes an electrical conductor and an insulation layer. The power distribution system further includes a receptacle selectively positionable at any position along a length of the wires. The power receptacle includes a housing defining at least one power outlet. A plurality of connection members is positioned within the housing. Each connection member includes a first end and a second end. The first end is configured to contact the electrical conductors within the insulation layers of the plurality of wires for electrically connecting the plurality of connection members to the plurality of wires. The second end is configured to electrically connect the plurality of connection members to the at least one power outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: MILLERKNOLL, INC.
    Inventor: Peter J. Keyzer
  • Patent number: 11848512
    Abstract: An insulation displacement connector connecting to a sheathed insulated cable has a housing including a first portion and a second portion mechanically engaging the first portion. The first portion is made of a different material than the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignees: TE Connectivity Italia Distribution S.r.l., TE Connectivity Italia S.r.l.
    Inventors: Daniela Graziano, Alessandro LaMacchia, Riccardo Francesco Robone
  • Patent number: 10244854
    Abstract: An apparatus for assisting a user in gripping a portable electronic device has a base element adapted to be attached to the portable electronic device, wherein the base element has a top surface with an attachment region and a bottom surface configured to mount the base element onto the portable electronic device; a gripping element, wherein the gripping element has a bottom surface with an attachment region; and a stretchable cord connecting the base element and the gripping element at the respective attachment regions thereof; wherein the attachment regions of the base element and of the gripping element have respective corresponding engaging elements that cooperate with one another to permit the base element and the gripping element to be secured against or engaged with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Tzumi Electronics LLC
    Inventors: Shimon Haber, Joseph Castelli, Lawrence T. Levine, Noam Elharar
  • Patent number: 10243293
    Abstract: A device connector disclosed herein is a device connector configured to be attached to a casing of a device. The device connector includes a housing, a shield bracket integrally formed with the housing and configured to be fixed to the casing with a fixing bolt to fix the housing, a cover covering the housing and fixed to the shield bracket with the fixing bolt, and a tool blocking portion included in a shell cover of the cover and located adjacent to a rear side of the fixing bolt for fixing the shield bracket to the casing when the shell cover is fixed to the shield bracket. The tool blocking portion blocks access of a tool to the fixing bolt for fixing the shield bracket to the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignees: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Umemura, Yusuke Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 9936540
    Abstract: A kit or assembly comprises a plug body, a housing, and an end cap. The plug body comprises an opening sized to receive a cable, and first and second members. The first member is pivotably connected to the plug at a first position and comprises a first blade extending inwardly relative to the plug body and a first electrical contact. The second member is pivotably connected to the plug at a second position and comprises a second blade extending inwardly relative to the plug body and a second electrical contact, where the second position is longitudinally offset from the first position. The housing comprises a socket to receive the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact and the end cap is threadably engageable with the housing, with the end cap comprising an interior sized to receive the plug body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: CHROMALOX, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Myers, Craig Calloway, Russell J. Schweizer
  • Patent number: 8573999
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a plug-connector for insertion of a multi-wire cable, wherein the wires are attached with the clamping-cutting technique. The plug-in connector exhibits a substrate and a plurality of clamping-cutting devices configured on the substrate and suitable for the insertion of wires. A first subset of the plurality of clamping-cutting devices is located on top of the substrate, while a second subset of the plurality of clamping-cutting devices is located at the bottom of the substrate. The plug-in connector furthermore exhibits wiring flaps suitable for the hinged insertion of the wires into the clamping-cutting devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Feldner, Thomas Fuhrer
  • Patent number: 8162689
    Abstract: Disclosed is a clamping device for connecting a conductor without stripping the insulation. Said clamping device comprises a housing (14) and an actuating part (22 which is movably mounted therein and is provided with a duct (26) accommodating the conductor (50) that is to be clamped. A blade contact (18.1) is provided which encompasses a rear web (32) and two spring legs (36) that are placed at an angle therefrom. The spring legs (36) are fitted with contacting blades (48) on final edges that run into each other. Said contacting blades (48) penetrate the duct (26) and contact the conductor (50) accommodated therein while cutting the insulation thereof when the actuating part (22) is transferred into the contacting position thereof. A second contact piece (18.2) is provided which is electrically connected to the blade contact (18.1). The blade contact (18.1) and the second contact piece (18.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Eric Brandberg, Ralf Geske
  • Patent number: 7833047
    Abstract: Spring part for retaining wires inside electric terminal blocks, comprising a conductor body substantially in the form of an overturned “U”, with a vertical arm substantially parallel to the vertical direction and a second arm forming an acute angle with the vertical arm and having a free end. The two arms being connected together by a convex curved section adapted to produce a resilient reaction of the second arm with respect to the vertical arm. The vertical arm can be joined to a U-shaped base formed from a first vertical arm, connected to the vertical arm of the conductor body, a second vertical arm having a free end and a longitudinal section connecting the two vertical arms. The U-shaped base being designed for stable engagement with a conducting part of the electric terminal block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Morsettitalia S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giordano Pizzi
  • Patent number: 7806719
    Abstract: A module having terminals for actuators and sensors includes a lower portion having at least one recess configured to receive a shape-coded ribbon cable, and an upper housing portion configured to receive a circuit board and to be disposed on the lower portion via a fastening device. The module further including a guidance device configured to cooperate with the first and second longitudinal sides of the upper housing portion so that the upper housing portion is guidable into an initial fastening position. Further, at least one of the upper housing portion and the lower portion include a contact device having at least one contact pin configured to at least partially penetrate the shape-coded ribbon cable when the shape-coded ribbon cable is received in the at least one recess so as to contact with the plurality of conductors when the upper housing portion is fastened to the lower portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Beier, Bernd Behling
  • Patent number: 7604498
    Abstract: An insulation-displacement connector includes a base member defining first and second sides. The first side is configured to guide and secure a first cable in a first direction and the second side is configured to guide a second cable in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The first and second pins each having first and second ends disposed through the base member. The first ends of the pins being configured to pierce the first cable and mechanically and electrically engage internally disposed conductors in the first cable and the second ends being configured to pierce the second cable and mechanically and electrically engage internally disposed conductors in the second cable. First and second covers are pivotably disposed on the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Inventor: Kamal Mahajan
  • Patent number: 7462060
    Abstract: A closing lever is provided for housing-shaped cable connectors having an upper and a lower component on one of the housing components. This closing lever operates to close both housing components in conjunction with a cam on the other housing component. This configuration ensures reliable closing without special exertion of force for the purpose of virtually automatically connecting two cables to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Woertz AG
    Inventor: Maurice Hamoignon
  • Patent number: 7402075
    Abstract: A wire termination block includes at least one conductive contact; and a body having a base portion and a driving portion, the driving portion having a plurality of apertures for receiving wires and being operable in at least two driving modes to terminate and couple a received wire to the conductive contact. One of the two driving modes may be operable with a tool and the other of the two modes is operable without a tool by a user. For example, the driving portion may include a lever driven mechanism for terminating and coupling the received wires in a first of the two driving modes and a bolt driven mechanism for terminating and coupling the received wire in a second of the two driving modes. The conductive contact may be insulation displacement connector or contact (IDC).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: TII Network Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: John F. Probst
  • Publication number: 20080124968
    Abstract: An electrical connector generally includes a housing having a chamber configured to receive two or more wires, and an engagement member rotatable within the chamber. The engagement member is configured to complete electrical contact between two or more conductors of the two or more wires. The housing includes a lever extending generally away from the housing and capable of rotating the housing in a first direction when completing the electrical contact between the two or more conductors of the two or more wires. The engagement member includes a lever extending generally away from the engagement member and capable of rotating the engagement member in a second direction when completing the electrical contact between the two or more conductors of the two or more wires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: BLAZING PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Douglas L. Kirk, Thomas A. King
  • Patent number: 7335050
    Abstract: An electrical connector having a housing with a chamber and at least one wire receiving passageway for receiving two or more wires into the chamber. An engagement member is configured to be rotatable within the chamber. The engagement member is configured to fracture a portion of any insulating covering on each wire and complete electrical contact between the conductors of the two or more wires upon rotation of the engagement member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Blazing Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas L Kirk, Thomas A King
  • Patent number: 7234961
    Abstract: An electrical connector arrangement taps off electrical current from a plurality of coplanar parallel input insulated conductors and supplies the same to a plurality of output conductors, respectively. A rectangular base member is provided having a horizontal upper surface that supports a plurality of parallel coplanar longitudinally-extending input conductors, respectively. A pair of pivot members are connected with the ends of the base member for pivotal movement about transverse horizontal pivot axes, respectively. As the pivot members are pivoted from disengaged positions toward engaged positions parallel with and directly above the base member top surface, bifurcated insulation-piercing knives on the pivot members pierce the insulation layers of the insulated conductors and electrically engage the conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Weidmüller Interface GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Uwe Arlitt, Paulo Russo, Rainer Schulze, John Witt, Günter Lucht, Joachim Bury, Torsten Diekmann, Andreas Wedler, Thomas Salomon
  • Patent number: 7223116
    Abstract: An insulation piercing connector (2) is held inside a base body (1), and a closing element (3) is guided inside said base body. The closing element can be transferred into a closed position at least from one open position, in which a conductor (4) can be inserted into the closing element (3). By transferring the closing element (3) into the closed position, the conductor (4) can be inserted into the insulation piercing connector (2) and can be held and clamped therein. An over spring (7) is arranged on the closing element (3). Said over spring surrounds the insulation piercing connector (2) and contacts the same via contact pieces (8) whereby exerting a pressure force (F) onto the insulation piercing connector (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Brandl, Peter Donhauser, Alfred Fischer, Ludwig Niebler
  • Patent number: 7175467
    Abstract: A lamp and switch assembly with an insulation displacement connector as an insulating base with a pair of wire receiving groups standing walls straddle each of the groups. A pair of insulation displacement connector members has a fixed end secured to the base and a movable end including an insulation displacement slot transfers to the groove. One of the connectors has a switch contact extension which is contacted by a switch contact member electrically connected to one of the lamps. Electrical contact is made to an external insulated wire by flexing the insulation displacement connector to engage the slot with a wire. A pair of opposed ears on the movable end of the connector engages the walls on the base to hold the slot in engagement with the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Judco Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen C. James
  • Patent number: 7140905
    Abstract: An electrical plug includes a first portion and a second portion that is matable with the first portion. The second portion has a channel for receiving a wire. The first portion includes at least one prong having a bifurcated contact. The bifurcated contact can pierce an insulation of the wire in the channel and can make contact with at least one conductor of the wire when the first portion is mated with the second portion. The bifurcated contacts are displaced longitudinally from one another along the length of the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Cosmo Castaldo
  • Patent number: 7134904
    Abstract: A terminal unit with a housing and a cover is described, a cable receiving opening for a terminal module being provided in the cover. Contact members are arranged in the housing and held pivotably on the housing. The contact members have contacts which make electric contact with an electrical lead when the contact member is swivelled from an open position into a contact position. The contact members have seating surfaces which form a receiving chamber for a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board is part of the terminal module which can be slid into the aperture in the cover, conductors of the board making electric contact with the contacts of the contact members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics AMP GmbH
    Inventors: Bert Bergner, Werner Boeck, Guenter Feldmeier, Franz Mueller
  • Patent number: 7112085
    Abstract: A lamp and switch assembly with an insulation displacement connector as an insulating base with a pair of wire receiving groups standing walls straddle each of the groups. A pair of insulation displacement connector members has a fixed end secured to the base and a movable end including an insulation displacement slot transfers to the groove. One of the connectors has a switch contact extension which is contacted by a switch contact member electrically connected to one of the lamps. Electrical contact is made to an external insulated wire by flexing the insulation displacement connector to engage the slot with a wire. A pair of opposed ears on the movable end of the connector engages the walls on the base to hold the slot in engagement with the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Judco Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen C. James
  • Patent number: 7097513
    Abstract: A telecommunications connector system for connecting to a mating telecommunications jack includes a housing that is configured to provide a contact chamber, a carrier configured to receive a plurality of insulated conductive lines, and electrically-conductive contacts at least partially disposed in the carrier, each contact including first, second, and third portions, each of the first portions being movably connected to the second portion and configured to move relative to the second portions in response to applied forces and to return to resting positions in response to removal of the applied forces, each of the third portions being movably connected to a corresponding second portion and including a blade configured to pierce an insulator coating of a corresponding insulated conductive line received by the carrier, where the carrier is at least partially disposed inside the housing such that the contacts are at least partially disposed in the contact chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel Bryan
  • Patent number: 7059890
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for contacting an electrical conductor, having a base body (1), having a closing element (2) with a receptacle area (3) for receiving the conductor, having an insulation piercing connector (4) held in the base body (1) with a contact region (5), wherein the closing element (2) is movable in a linear direction from an open position to a closed position relative to the base body (1), with the insulation piercing connector (4) being disposed such that its contact region (5) is located outside of the receptacle area (3) relative to the closing element (2) in the open position and inside the receptacle area (3) relative to the closing element (2) in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Peter Donhauser
  • Patent number: 7026559
    Abstract: A switch has insulation displacement connectors on a connector portion of the switch body. Such an insulation displacement connector has two tines with an open-ended slot for receiving a wire transverse to the slot. When the wire is pushed along the length of the slot, insulation is displaced and there is electrical contact made with the connector. An insulating flap is hinged to the switch body for rotation between an open position, an intermediate catch position at an acute angle from the connector portions, and a latched position approximately parallel to the connector portion. Rotating the flap from the catch position to the latched position presses wires into the insulation displacement connectors. Each of the connectors has a generally keyhole-shaped opening for receiving the wire. The axis of the hinge between the flap and body is approximately parallel to the length of the wire in the connector and is integrally molded with the switch body and flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Judco Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen C. James
  • Publication number: 20040235335
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cable connector that comprises an insulating body (1), composed of an upper part (2,3) and a lower part (4), said upper and lower parts (2, 3; 4) receiving and retaining the cables (5; 10) to be linked, and an intermediate part (3) being an integral part of the upper part and retaining the conducting contacting elements (6). Said contacting elements are provided with cutting points (6′-6′″) that project towards the lid part (2) being an integral part of the upper part or towards the lower part (4). When the upper, intermediate and lower parts (2, 3, 4) are assembled, the cutting points (6′-6′″) automatically pierce the insulations of the leads of the cable to be connected and penetrate the litz wires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Pierre Schoeffel, Andrea Dominik Mastrovito
  • Patent number: 6756250
    Abstract: The invention is an electrical connection system that releasably connects the circuit paths of a flexible conductive circuit to a printed circuit board having a corresponding row of contacts, without the need for soldering, crimping or welding operations, or extensive preparation of the flexible circuit before connection. One embodiment has a least one spring contact formed in a cover; at least one rotatable cam; and a base. The cover and base snap together to house the rotatable cam(s). The connection is made by feeding the circuit into a slot in the cam, then rotating the cam to bring the circuit into contact with the spring contact which has a tapered insulation plane that pierces and peels back the dielectric covering of the conductive circuit to make a direct metal to metal, gas tight contact between the deflectable contact and the conductors of the conductive circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Miraco, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph A Roberts
  • Patent number: 6749456
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a housing having at least one wire insertion channel for electrical wires to be inserted therein. An upper terminal in the channel has a sharp edge for piercing into the insulation of each wire and electrically contacting the conductive element of the wire. At least one lower terminal in the channel has a blunt edged element for supporting the insulated wire as the upper terminal pierces the insulation of the insulated wire. An actuator is operable for inserting into the connector and actuating a hinged plane causing the upper terminal to piercingly engage the insulated wire and make electrical contact with the conductive element of the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Yazaki North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Abe A. Conner, Paul R. Strouse
  • Publication number: 20020081891
    Abstract: The invention is an electrical connection system that releasably connects the circuit paths of a flexible conductive circuit to a printed circuit board having a corresponding row of contacts, without the need for soldering, crimping or welding operations, or extensive preparation of the flexible circuit before connection. One embodiment has at least one spring contact formed in a cover; at least one rotatable cam; and a base with a circuit alignment window for initial alignment of a flexible conductive circuit introduced into the connector. The cover and base snap together to house the rotatable cam(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventor: Joseph A. Roberts
  • Patent number: 6375489
    Abstract: The invention is an electrical connector that provides a connection system that releasably connects the circuit paths of a flexible conductive circuit to a printed circuit board having a corresponding row of contacts, without the need for soldering, crimping or welding operations, or extensive preparation of the flexible circuit before connection. One embodiment has at least one spring contact formed in a cover; at least one rotatable cam; and a base with a circuit alignment window for initial alignment of a flexible conductive circuit introduced into the connector. The cover and base snap together to house the rotatable cam(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Miraco, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph A Roberts
  • Patent number: 6364695
    Abstract: Flat circuitries 8, 9 are inserted into a connector body 15. At this time, a metal terminal 19 interposed between the two flat circuitries 8, 9 is held between the flat circuitry 8 and a press member 26 actuated by inserting the flat circuitry 9 into the connector body 15, and a claw 22 bites into conductors 12 of the second flat circuitry 9 to connect the flat circuitries 8, 9 to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6264496
    Abstract: An electrical receptacle for electrical connection to insulated electrical conductors comprises a dielectric housing (12) including a first housing section (22) and a second housing section (24); first and second electrical contact members (38, 40) disposed in the dielectric housing (12) and having first contacts (38b, 40b) in alignment with slots (26, 28) of the dielectric housing and second contacts (38a, 40a) in alignment with openings (58) of the dielectric housing including insulation-displacement contacts; and conductor-moving members (16, 18) associated with the insulation-displacement contacts-for moving the insulated electrical conductors into the insulation-displacement contacts thereby effecting electrical connections between the insulation-displacement contacts and the insulated electrical conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corp.
    Inventors: James William Robertson, Harry Milton Capper, Robert Naas, Kurt Werner, Deborah Laun, Howard Scott Ryan
  • Patent number: 6247959
    Abstract: A modular plug assembly is provided which includes a modular plug body, and an insulation displacement connector (IDC), having a terminal body and a terminal strip. The assembly is formed to engage a wire, including a multi-conductor wire, and be inserted into a modular jack to form an electrical connection between the wire and the modular jack. Any length of wire can be used, and in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the assembly engages the wire in a toolless manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Avaya Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Bassel H. Daoud, David S. Kerr, Christopher Helmstetter, Antonio A. Figueiredo, George Debalko
  • Patent number: 6200157
    Abstract: A plug for connection of an electro-fluidic converter provided with electrical plug contacts projecting from a converter housing, the plug has a plug housing, electrical counter contacts to the plug contacts of the converter and accommodated in the plug housing, electrical connecting means for a multi-wired encased connecting cable and accommodated in the plug housing, connecting means for electrical or electronic joining of the connecting means with the counter contacts and accommodated in the plug housing, and a contacting device provided for connecting the connecting cable with the connecting means and arranged in the plug housing, the contacting device having a movable cable receiving part for insertion of a cable portion and a clamping lever acting on the cable receiving part for contact-producing pressing of the cable portion against the connecting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Asco Joucomatic GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Felix Ams, Stefan Wegehingel
  • Patent number: 6196861
    Abstract: A connector of the kind comprising at least two jaws made of a conductive material, which are mounted so that they can move one with respect to the other between two positions, one an open position and the other a closed position and which, each having at least one contact slot formed of two non-touching lips, can interlock when closed by virtue of this contact slot. According to the invention, both, on the one hand, the lips of the contact slot of each of the jaws are, at least locally, oblique to each other, diverging toward the mouth of this contact slot and, on the other hand, closure means capable of holding these jaws in position when closed are associated with these jaws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Yves Saligny
  • Patent number: 6159035
    Abstract: A connector assembly for penetrating the insulation and establishing electrical connection with insulated electrical wires or conductors, thereby eliminating the need to strip the insulation away from the insulated wires, including a pair of matable housings, a pair of conductor guides, a pair of flexible piercing terminals and a pair of rotatable cams or levers, and which are all enclosed by the pair of matable housings. The unstriped insulated wires are respectively inserted into and positioned within the pair of conductor guides, where the cams are rotated inwardly such that the cams engage and squeeze the conductor guides to retain the insulated wires thereto. While the cams are being rotated, they also engage the piercing terminals such that knife ends pierce the insulated wires or conductors to establish electrical connection thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Audio Components International, Inc.
    Inventor: Lowell J. Smith, III
  • Patent number: 6152760
    Abstract: Connector (10) including a wire carrier (14) for terminating a wire (18) to a terminal (60) affixed in housing (12) through insulation displacement. Terminal (60) includes reinforced beam portions (64) along either side of IDC slot (62) for stiffening the beam portions for use with 18.5 AWG Aerial drop wire. Wire carrier (14) is pivotable from an open position to a closed position after an insulated wire (18) has been inserted fully into wire-receiving passageway (20), and is locked in the closed position by locking section (54) of the housing (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventor: Nancy Lee Reeser
  • Patent number: 6146186
    Abstract: This connector comprises:a conducting piece which has a slot intended to accommodate the cable to be connected and which is fitted into an insulating casing having an opening allowing insertion of a cable;means allowing the cable to be stripped locally, these means being made on a piece separate from the conducting piece and facing the slot in the latter; andmovement means for moving the cable from an insertion position to a connection position in which the cable is in the slot in the conducting piece, the cable passing through the means allowing it to be stripped locally during this movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Entrelec S.A.
    Inventors: Sylvain Barrat, Bernard Bechaz, Philippe France
  • Patent number: 6083035
    Abstract: A connector (10,200,300) for termination to a multiconductor cable (12,306) along a length thereof and including a housing (20,202,302) and a cover (22,204,304) securable to each other around the cable. The housing contains a plurality of contacts (60,220,320) with first contact sections (66,234,328) adapted to penetrate insulation of said cable upon actuation and engage the cable's conductors (16). A pair of gaskets (34,36;334,334;600,602) along faces of the housing and the cover define a seal surrounding termination regions of the cable upon installation of the connector to the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis C. Mackey, Earl William McCleerey, Robert Neil Whiteman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6080006
    Abstract: The connector includes a cover with wire-receiving bores therein, each bore having a reduced width inner portion for a partial segregation of inserted wires of different sizes and an alignment thereof with slotted blades which are sized to accommodate the segregated wires for electrical contact therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Inventor: Eric S. Broder
  • Patent number: 6067702
    Abstract: Stator coils having lead wires inserted into temporary wire clamps (36) at a winding station are electrically tested before the coil lead wires are removed from the temporary clamps. In one aspect, the clamps each include a jaw (54) formed with a wire-engaging surface (88) which scrapes the insulating coating off from a lead wire as it is inserted therein. The clamps are electrically connected to terminal members (90) which are engageable by electrical test terminal members (100). In a modification, the clamps include a wire-scraping jaw having, in addition to a body formed with a sharpened or knife edge, a shield having wire-guiding surfaces engageable by a lead wire being inserted into the clamp. The wire-guiding surfaces are located adjacent the knife edge and are so positioned that the depth of the insulated wire scraped or cut away by the knife edge is only a few thousandths of an inch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Globe Products Inc.
    Inventors: Gary E. Clemenz, Raymond S. Furlong, Lawrence E. Newman
  • Patent number: 6065996
    Abstract: A connector comprises a casing (2) inside which is mounted a conducting piece (9) having a slit (10) for retaining an electrical wire (16). Mounted so as to pivot inside this casing is a cage (8) having a cavity (13) for the engagement of a maneuvering rod and a cavity (15) for the engagement of the conducting wire (16). During the pivoting movement of the cage (8), the wire (16) is stripped locally and introduced into the slit (10), and the cage sits over that end of the conducting piece (9) which has the slit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Entrelec S.A.
    Inventors: Bernard Bechaz, Sylvain Barrat, Philippe France
  • Patent number: 6022240
    Abstract: A connector (10,200,300) for termination to a multiconductor cable (12,306) along a length thereof at a point remote from an end thereof, such as after installation of the cable within a premises, and including a housing (20,202,302) and a cover (22,204,304) securable to each other around the cable. The housing contains a plurality of contacts (60,220,320) with first contact sections (66,234,328) in slots (62,236,330) that open onto the cable face adjacent the cable jacket. Upon actuation of actuators (90,222,326), the contacts associated with the actuators are urged downwardly against the cable jacket, penetrating the jacket (14) and compressively engaging the cable's conductors (16). Second contact sections (68,232,348) are exposed along the mating face (72,214,310) of the connector for mating with complementary contacts of an interface module (400).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: Earl William McCleerey, Robert Neil Whiteman, Jr., Robert Wayne Walker, Douglas Morgan Walburn, Michael Eugene Shirk
  • Patent number: 5975938
    Abstract: An electrical connector is provided which has a body having a opening therein sized to receive an unstripped end of insulated electrical cable of the type having at least two individually insulated conductors which are encased in an outer sheath. A pair of arm members are pivotally connected opposite sides of the body which are adapted to rotate between and open position and a closed position. A pair of electrically conducting blade members are attached to said arm members. When the arm members are in an open position the blade members do not extend within said cavity and when the blade members are in a closed position said blade members do extend within said cavity. An electrical output is located on the body and electrical pathway provides an electrical connection between said blade members and the electrical output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Robert A. Libby
    Inventor: Robert A. Libby
  • Patent number: 5924888
    Abstract: An electrical plug for connecting an electrical cable such as an electrical heating cable to an electrical power outlet. Contained within the housing of the plug are first and second contact members which comprise a first prong and a second prong, respectively, each prong being suitable for insertion into a socket of an electrical power outlet. A cutting module and a cutting element which fits within the cutting module are used to remove polymer, e.g. insulation or a conductive polymer composition, from the first and second electrodes of the cable at the end of the cable in order to make electrical connection from the electrodes to the first and second contact members. Present within the cutting module are first and second electrode-contact sections positioned on the concave arcuate inner surface of the wall of a cavity in the cutting module. The electrode-contact sections can be electrically connected to the first and second contact members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Raychem Corporation
    Inventor: Brian S. Larkin
  • Patent number: 5816843
    Abstract: A front wiring clamp with cutting-clamping contacts is disclosed, which is reliable in operation even with large forces that act on pulling out the conductor or cross forces that act on the electrical conductor to be clamped. The front wiring clamp has stationary conductor uptake chambers in the insulation housing of the clamp, and each of these is assigned a tunable contact loop, whose foot end is mounted so that it can be turned by a turning link at or in the busbar or similar device and whose fork-shaped cutting-clamping head extends in the direction of turning motion of the contact loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Wago Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Gerberding
  • Patent number: 5785548
    Abstract: The invention comprises a power tap connector of the type for terminating by insulation displacement a pair of conductors. The connector includes a housing for receiving at least a pair of upstanding IDC terminals. A pivotally mounted conductor wire carrier has front and rear faces arranged on the housing. The wire carrier is pivotal from a first conductor unterminated position to a second conductor terminated position. The wire carrier has a conductor receiving opening extending from the front face to the rear face for each the IDC terminal. An IDC terminal receiving slot is in communication with each opening, whereby an insulated conductor may be positioned for termination to a corresponding IDC terminal within the opening by entry thereto through either the front face or the rear face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: Harry Milton Capper, Sam Denovich, William Joseph Garver
  • Patent number: 5725390
    Abstract: An electrical connector for interconnecting a pair of three-wire parallel conductor cables of the ROMEX variety. The novel connector comprises a bottom member and hinged cover made from insulating material. The bottom member has a trough having connecting blades on opposing sides and a grounding spike extending from the trough base. The cover has a grounding spear facing the trough base grounding spike when the cover is in the closed position. The grounding spike and spear are conductively connected to one another establishing a quick and easy electrical splice between load, neutral and ground conductors of both cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Inventor: Edward Francis Watts
  • Patent number: 5718600
    Abstract: An electrical plug for connecting an electrical cable such as an electrical heating cable to an electrical power outlet. Contained within the housing of the plug are first and second contact members which comprise a first prong and a second prong, respectively, each prong being suitable for insertion into a socket of an electrical power outlet. A cutting module and a cutting element which fits within the cutting module are used to remove polymer, e.g. insulation or a conductive polymer composition, from the first and second electrodes of the cable at the end of the cable in order to make electrical connection from the electrodes to the first and second contact members. Present within the cutting module are first and second electrode-contact sections positioned on the concave arcuate inner surface of the wall of a cavity in the cutting module. The electrode-contact sections can be electrically connected to the first and second contact members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Raychem Corporation
    Inventors: Ercole D'Amario, Jr., Alfonso Castagna, Jerry N. Moscovitch, Chepur P. Rao, Brian S. Larkin, Arthur E. Ferdinand
  • Patent number: 5690505
    Abstract: A pressure joint connector that joints a trunk line to a branch line. In the connector, an opening is formed in a housing, the opening causing the trunk line and the branch line inserted into the housing to be exposed. A primary cover is arranged on the housing, so that when the primary cover closes the opening, the primary cover fixes only the branch line and does not fix the trunk line. A secondary cover is arranged on the housing, the secondary cover being closed so as to be superimposed on the primary cover that has already closed the opening. Pressure blades are arranged so as to project from the secondary cover. The pressure blades force-fit both the trunk line and the branch line simultaneously by passing through the primary cover when the secondary cover is closed so as to be superimposed on the primary cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Noboru Hirata
  • Patent number: 5651177
    Abstract: Stator coils having lead wires inserted into temporary wire clamps at a winding station are electrically tested before the coil lead wires are removed from the temporary clamps. The clamps each include a jaw formed with a wire-engaging surface which scrapes the insulting coating off from a lead wire as it is inserted therein. The clamps are mounted on an electrically insulating support and are electrically connected to terminal members which are engageable by electrical test terminal members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: Globe Products Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Newman
  • Patent number: 5564941
    Abstract: Two forms of insulation-displacement connection devices and panels of such devices are disclosed; the connection devices of each of the panels include upstanding connectors bent to provide paired wire-gripping finger portions in a plane parallel to the related panel. Each form of the connecting devices includes a rotor operable about an axis perpendicular to the related panel, the rotor being arranged to drive upstanding inserted wires broadside--parallel to the rotor's axis--from starting positions opposite to the ends of the pairs of wire-gripping finger portions to end positions gripped between the wire-gripping finger portions. The wire's insulation is displaced and the center conductor of the wire is bared locally as the wire is forced between the wire-gripping finger portions. In both embodiments, there are two pairs of wire-gripping finger portions, at opposite sides of the rotor's axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Eugene A. Norden
    Inventor: Alexander R. Norden