Captive Screw Or Nut Patents (Class 439/813)
  • Patent number: 12027797
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a high voltage adapter (1) for insertion into an adapter socket (2) in a high voltage unit (10), the adapter (1) comprises an oblong cylindrical main body (3) having a first outer diameter (D1), the main body (3) comprising a first circumferential portion (3?), the first circumferential portion (3?) having a second outer diameter (D2), wherein the second outer diameter (D2) is greater than the first outer diameter (D1). Further, the adapter (1) comprises a first threaded female portion (4) extending from a first base (5) of the main body (3) and a second threaded female portion (6) extending from an opposing second base (7) of the main body (3), each threaded female portion (4, 6) extending perpendicular to each corresponding base (5, 7) into the main body (3). Moreover, each threaded female portion (4, 6) is arranged to receive a threaded male connector (17, 18), so to transfer voltage signals from a first environment to a second environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: SAAB AB
    Inventors: David Smith, Henrik Sundbäck
  • Patent number: 12021342
    Abstract: A busbar system is configured to carry current, such as, for example, in a battery system. The busbar system includes two or more busbars, that interface at respective surfaces and are aligned by one or more alignment features. The one or more alignment features may include a boss feature such as a pin or other protrusion, a recess such as a hole, slot, or other recess feature, or both a boss feature and a recess feature. Each busbar may include an alignment feature that engages with the alignment feature of the other busbar to cause, maintain, or otherwise effect alignment. Alignment of the busbars ensures relative position, prevents relative motion, or both. The busbars are engaged with each other by positioning the busbars such that their mating surfaces can engage, and then engaging alignment features of the busbars to provide alignment of the busbars relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Kyle O'Neil
  • Patent number: 11502431
    Abstract: A terminal includes a body and a bolt section at a first end of the body. The bolt section has a body passageway extending through the body and a sidewall defining the body passageway. The bolt section has a rib disposed on the sidewall and protruding into the body passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Inventors: Rafael Kazuo Sato T Leme, Djalma Oliveira, Paulo Barletta, Jochen Mayer
  • Patent number: 10819070
    Abstract: An anti-theft bracket according to the present invention is an anti-theft bracket provided near a parking driver. The parking driver is connected to a parking actuator via a harness with a connector of the harness inserted in the parking driver. The anti-theft bracket includes a connector detachment restricting part covering the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keisuke Takai, Shinji Kamiya
  • Patent number: 9033748
    Abstract: A flexible electrical connector for electrical equipment is provided. The flexible electrical connector includes a flexible electrical conductor, a terminated end electrically and mechanically connected to the flexible electrical conductor, and a captive fastener for electrically and mechanically connecting the electrical equipment to the terminated end. The captive fastener is operably connected to the terminated end and includes a shaft operably connected to the terminated end, a rotatable member operably connected to the shaft, and a resilient member operably connected to the shaft and disposed between the rotatable member and the terminated end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: Samuel C. Ramey, Shaun P. Brouwer
  • Publication number: 20150079855
    Abstract: A device connector has a detachment preventing plate (50) mounted on surfaces of terminal blocks (30) to prevent detachment of nuts (35) and has escaping holes (52) at positions corresponding to nut accommodating holes (33) for allowing the tips of bolts (8) to escape. Fixed rails (40) are formed on the surface of each terminal block (30) at opposite sides of the nut accommodating hole (33) and extend in a projecting direction of the terminal block (30). Moving rails (53) are provided on a facing surface of the detachment preventing plate (50) and fit slidably to the fixed rails (40). The detachment preventing plate (50) is pushed and attached to cover the surfaces of the terminal blocks (30) from projecting ends of the terminal blocks (30) while the moving rails (53) are slid along and guided by the fixed rails (40).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventor: Akihiko Takemura
  • Publication number: 20140073204
    Abstract: A flexible electrical connector for electrical equipment is provided. The flexible electrical connector includes a flexible electrical conductor, a terminated end electrically and mechanically connected to the flexible electrical conductor, and a captive fastener for electrically and mechanically connecting the electrical equipment to the terminated end. The captive fastener is operably connected to the terminated end and includes a shaft operably connected to the terminated end, a rotatable member operably connected to the shaft, and a resilient member operably connected to the shaft and disposed between the rotatable member and the terminated end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: PANDUIT CORP.
    Inventors: Samuel C. Ramey, Shaun P. Brouwer
  • Patent number: 8648507
    Abstract: An electric machine includes a housing having an outer surface and an inner surface that defines an interior portion. The housing also includes a connection zone having a first end portion that extends from the outer surface to a second end portion that is exposed to the interior portion. The connection zone includes a connection passage. A terminal block extends through the connection passage. The terminal block includes a non-electrically conductive member that is sealed against the connection passage, and an electrically conductive member covered by the non-electrically conductive member. The electrically conductive member includes a first end section that extends to a second end section through an intermediate section. The first end section has a first connection zone and the second end section has a second connection zone. The second connection zone is at an angle relative to the first connection zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Remy Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Bradley D. Chamberlin, James J. Ramey, Koon Hoong Wan, Steven C. Burton, Larry A. Kubes
  • Patent number: 8602829
    Abstract: A lug having an integrated shoe for fastening the lug to a conductor and a terminal of a circuit breaker. The lug includes a housing and a cavity in the housing configured to receive the electrical conductor. The shoe has a hinge connecting the shoe to an inner wall of the housing. A slot is located adjacent to the shoe such that the shoe is positioned between the cavity and the slot, which receives the terminal. A hole in the housing receives a fastener that extends into the cavity. A force applied to the fastener urges the conductor to clamp against the shoe to cause it to deflect about the hinge and to press against the terminal to hold the lug in a secure relationship relative to the terminal and to hold the conductor in a secure relationship relative to the lug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Elena G. Kosyanchuk, Daniel G. Hollinger
  • Publication number: 20130252486
    Abstract: A lug having an integrated shoe for fastening the lug to a conductor and a terminal of a circuit breaker. The lug includes a housing and a cavity in the housing configured to receive the electrical conductor. The shoe has a hinge connecting the shoe to an inner wall of the housing. A slot is located adjacent to the shoe such that the shoe is positioned between the cavity and the slot, which receives the terminal. A hole in the housing receives a fastener that extends into the cavity. A force applied to the fastener urges the conductor to clamp against the shoe to cause it to deflect about the hinge and to press against the terminal to hold the lug in a secure relationship relative to the terminal and to hold the conductor in a secure relationship relative to the lug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Elena G. Kosyanchuk, Daniel G. Hollinger
  • Patent number: 8454393
    Abstract: The invention relates to a terminal having a housing and a duct for accommodating a screw, wherein a securing device is provided that has a holding unit configured on the housing in order to enable the captive accommodation of the screw in the duct. The securing device enables an insertion of a screw into the duct in the base state, wherein a secured state is achieved after insertion of a screw by a plastic deformation of the holding unit into the free cross-section of the duct in which a screw is captively accommodated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Matthias Krawinkel
  • Patent number: 8192238
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a service switching device with an insulating housing and a connection terminal arrangement for the terminal connection of a connecting conductor with an annular terminal lug on a connecting plate mounted in the device interior, with a clamping screw, which has a screw head and a screw shaft, the screw shaft passing through the annular terminal lug and being in threaded engagement with a thread element during the terminal connection of the connecting conductor. A terminal accommodating area has an insertion opening for the connecting conductor and an access opening for the screw head for actuation thereof. The connecting plate has a holding section for locking the thread element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: ABB AG
    Inventor: Joachim Majewski
  • Publication number: 20120052749
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a service switching device with an insulating housing and a connection terminal arrangement for the terminal connection of a connecting conductor with an annular terminal lug on a connecting plate mounted in the device interior, with a clamping screw, which has a screw head and a screw shaft, the screw shaft passing through the annular terminal lug and being in threaded engagement with a thread element during the terminal connection of the connecting conductor. A terminal accommodating area has an insertion opening for the connecting conductor and an access opening for the screw head for actuation thereof. The connecting plate has a holding section for locking the thread element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: ABB AG
    Inventor: Joachim MAJEWSKI
  • Patent number: 7980903
    Abstract: An installation switch has an insulating housing and a terminal connecting arrangement for clamping a connecting conductor having an annular terminal shoe. The terminal connecting arrangement includes a terminal socket having an interior disposed between an insertion opening for receiving the terminal shoe and an access opening and a terminal screw having a screw head and a screw shank disposed in the interior of the terminal socket, the screw being actuatable in a longitudinal direction within the interior of the terminal socket between an open state and a clamped state. The arrangement further includes a connection plate having a screw hole with interior threads for threadably engaging the terminal screw when in the clamped state and a retaining device preventing the terminal screw from being removed from the terminal socket when in the open state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: ABB AG
    Inventors: Matthias Bitz, Ralf Kraus, Klaus-Peter Eppe
  • Publication number: 20100227513
    Abstract: An installation switch has an insulating housing and a terminal connecting arrangement for clamping a connecting conductor having an annular terminal shoe. The terminal connecting arrangement includes a terminal socket having an interior disposed between an insertion opening for receiving the terminal shoe and an access opening and a terminal screw having a screw head and a screw shank disposed in the interior of the terminal socket, the screw being actuatable in a longitudinal direction within the interior of the terminal socket between an open state and a clamped state. The arrangement further includes a connection plate having a screw hole with interior threads for threadably engaging the terminal screw when in the clamped state and a retaining device preventing the terminal screw from being removed from the terminal socket when in the open state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: ABB AG
    Inventors: Matthias Bitz, Ralf Kraus, Klaus-Peter Eppe
  • Patent number: 7632159
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for connecting electrical devices. The device may include a transformer, a connector post with a nut, and a conductor. The conductor may be positioned from the transformer to an opening of the connector post. The conductor may be a metal plate. The nut may clamp the device lead to the conductor to electrically connect them. The nut may be retained on the post, even when unsecured from the post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Malibu Lighting Corporation
    Inventor: Russel J. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20080166930
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for connecting electrical devices. The device may include a transformer, a connector post with a nut, and a conductor. The conductor may be positioned from the transformer to an opening of the connector post. The conductor may be a metal plate. The nut may clamp the device lead to the conductor to electrically connect them. The nut may be retained on the post, even when unsecured from the post.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: Intermatic Incorporated
    Inventor: Russel J. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6520795
    Abstract: An electrical device, includes a housing having an inner bore with a longitudinal axis, and outer and inner engagement members. The outer engagement member is received in the inner bore of the housing, and is rotatable with respect to the housing about the longitudinal axis. The inner engagement member is rotatably supported within the outer engagement member, and has external threads for engaging an electrical interface of a piece of electrical equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventor: Roy E. Jazowski
  • Patent number: 6402570
    Abstract: An automotive lamp unit includes a bus bar unit forming a circuit with a plurality of bus bars connected with each other via a bridge portion, the bus bar unit including terminals, for connection to switches and a power source, and a supporting member for supporting a lamp, the circuit serving to switch on the lamp, and a resin base member provided with the bus bar unit mounted thereon at a predetermined position, and a small hole formed in the resin base member at a position thereof associated with the bridge portion. The plurality of bus bars are separated from each other at the bridge portion which is disposed in the small hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha T AN T
    Inventors: Hisashi Soga, Kouichi Sinzawa
  • Patent number: 6361382
    Abstract: A terminal assembly includes a main block made of an electrically insulating material having a number of connection spaces for cables and contacts. The terminal assembly further includes contacts each having a connecting portion to be connected to a cable, a fixing portion to be fixed to the main block and a connection portion to be connected to a mating component. Each of the connection spaces includes a set screw having a washer inserted in the main block for electrically connecting and fixing the cable to the contact, and a nut inserted in the connection space for threadedly engaging the set screw having the washer. The main block is formed with set screw receiving apertures for the set screws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignees: DDK Ltd., Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Akio Yamada, Takaharu Kouda, Manabu Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 6280263
    Abstract: An eyelet terminal for use in a vehicle junction box or power center to connect a bus bar to an electrical wire or cable. The terminal assembly is formed as a flat metal blank with bendable portions defining a nut-trapping lock ring, an anti-rotation tab, and wire crimping tabs. One end of the terminal includes an eyelet portion having an aperture for a bolt or threaded stud, and a surface for rotatably supporting a flanged nut over the aperture. The lock ring is formed at the end of a leg or arm extending from the eyelet portion and adapted to be bent over a radius to a nut-trapping position over the nut flange and aligned with the eyelet portion. A bendable anti-rotation tab extending from the lock ring is bent from an initial flat position to a right-angled position in which it extends through a suitable aperture in the terminal when the lock ring is in the nut-trapping position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Yazaki North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Anthony Manor, Kazuhiro Shimizu, Takeshi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6238254
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a case designed for housing an electrical apparatus such as a circuit breaker. This case includes terminal compartments for housing connection strips and component(s) for fixing the strips to external conductors, such as a bar, a cable etc., respectively. The fixing components include for at least one of the compartments, a first opening provided in the case and a second opening provided in the connection strip and situated facing the first opening(s), and at least one screw passing through two orifices facing one another and provided, respectively, in the case and in the strip to perform fixing of a conductor onto the connection strip, the first opening is shaped in such a way as to receive and guide in rotation at least one screw head of a circular shape, and block in rotation with respect to the case at least one screw head of a non-circular shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Schneider Electric, SA
    Inventors: Laurent De Pourquoy, Tim Faber
  • Patent number: 6234850
    Abstract: A terminal apparatus for connecting an electrical conductor to electric equipment. A terminal is electrically coupled to the electric equipment and has a hole formed therethrough. A first securing member has a head and a shaft passing through the hole formed in the terminal. A first conductor receiving area is defined between the head and a first side of the terminal. A second securing member selectively engages the shaft on a side of the terminal opposite the head of the first securing member. A second conductor receiving area is defined between the second securing member and a second side of the terminal. A holder is coupled to the terminal and disposed on a side of the terminal corresponding to the second securing member. The holder retains the second securing member at a position in which the second securing member can be engaged with an end of the shaft when the shaft is inserted through the hole formed in the terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Anilkumar D. Pandit, M. Natarajan, A. Ramadevi, Rajesh Pandey
  • Patent number: 6202300
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for electrical grounding of metallic vehicular components incorporates a conductive clamping mechanism. The conductive clamping mechanism includes a first portion having an housing defining an opening. The housing rotatably carries an externally threaded member. A conductive band has a first end fixedly attached to the clamping mechanism and a second end adjustably associated with the threaded member. Rotation of the threaded member adjusts the second end of the band relative to the first end to thereby tighten the band around the metallic vehicular component. A grounding strap having a width substantially greater than a height interconnects a ground surface of the vehicle with a second portion of the clamping mechanism. The second portion is preferably unitarily formed with the housing and is adapted to crimp the end of the strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventor: James J. Yuzwalk
  • Patent number: 6102750
    Abstract: A terminal connection for a flat stab of an electrical terminal includes a spring clip which retains a nut in alignment with an aperture in the flat stab. The spring clip is fabricated from a strip of resilient electrically conductive material and has a top wall with a central aperture, side walls extending downward from the top wall and having slots therein, and outwardly projecting flanges on the bottom edge of each of the side walls. A square nut is retained in the spring clip by lateral projections on the nut engaged in the slots in the side walls with the tapped hole in the nut aligned with the aperture in the top wall of the clip. The fastener assembly clips onto the end of the flat stab which is in a recess in the electrical terminal, with the stab between the nut and the top wall of the spring clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: David E. Little, David C. Funyak, Roger W. Helms
  • Patent number: 5994989
    Abstract: An electrical shorting block has a molded body with a plurality of side-by-side recesses in which terminal members having first, tapped apertures are secured. A shorting bar supported in the molded body extends across but is spaced from the terminal numbers and has second apertures aligned with the first apertures. For the hot side terminal members, shorting connectors slidable through but captured by the apertures in the shorting bar have threaded ends which can be selectively threaded into the tapped first apertures of those terminal members. Helical compression springs bias the captured shorting connectors away from the terminal members when not used to short the terminal. Common terminal members are connected to the shorting bar by shorting screws which remain threaded into the first apertures. The terminal members preferably have both screw terminations and male fast-on terminations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Neal Edward Rowe, Robert Lewis Newton, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5848913
    Abstract: An electrical set screw connector has an insulating cover over a metal body which includes conductor receiving passages or ports and intersecting set screws adapted to clamp down on conductor ends in the conductor receiving passages or ports. The connector insulating cover includes a vestibule or tubular chamber for each set screw. The outer end of the vestibule is restricted to capture the screw and each vestibule is internally threaded. The outer end of each vestibule includes a drive hole for the set screw. The connector insulating cover is made by dipping using the backed out set screws as core pins for each set screw vestibule with removable shanks in the set screw recesses forming the drive holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Erico International Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas K. Ashcraft
  • Patent number: 5842890
    Abstract: A terminal connecting device which is mounted between the head of a screw and a washer and acting as a gasket for such screw. The screw is to be threaded onto a stationary terminal to hold a connecting terminal for an electrical accessory (contactor, switch, thermal relay, etc.). When the terminal connecting device is lifted up, the screw is raised to a position above the stationary terminal, allowing a ring terminal to be placed between the end of the screw and the stationary terminal to make the connection of the ring terminal. The terminal connection can be made without the need to extract the screw from or to disassemble the subject accessory. The terminal connecting device has sliding means, which in combination with other means of the cover of the electrical apparatus, to guide and align the screw in the raising or lifting/ insertion movements thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Miguel Ortiz Gimenez
  • Patent number: 5704815
    Abstract: A terminal device for connecting contacts to terminal strips fixed on respective terminal housing portions of an electrical apparatus, each of the terminal strips having a screw hole, the terminal housing portions being separated by insulating walls from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsumi Shibata, Takato Hirota, Makoto Kawasaki, Etsuya Hiramatsu
  • Patent number: 5653614
    Abstract: Electrical apparatus including a cap and having a connection screw terminal cooperating by way of a screwthreaded head with a screwthreaded hole in the cap. The screwthreaded hole has an unthreaded outer part accommodating most of the screwthreaded part of the screwhead. A captive clamping washer is provided to permit clamping of a conductor between the clamping washer and a fixed conductive part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Schneider Electric SA
    Inventors: Guy Eschermann, Pierre Merlin
  • Patent number: 5580286
    Abstract: A connector assembly comprises a housing and a clamping screw for clamping connection of ring tongue terminals to terminals of the connector assembly. The clamping screw comprises a flanged portion for, on the one hand clamping down on the terminal, and on the other hand engage against a shoulder of the housing when in the raised, disconnected position to prevent removal of the clamping screw from the housing. A U-shaped metal plate inserted in a housing slot transverse to the clamping screw, provides a second thread means to enable raising the clamping screw away from the mating clamping nut to allow unobstructed insertion of the ring tongue terminal therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: Rudolf Kramer, Werner Tille
  • Patent number: 5376024
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a terminal connecting device which simplifies and facilitates achieving the proper alignment between a male-threaded portion of a terminal screw and a female-threaded hole of a stationary terminal, and moreover, which assures that a fastening operation is easily performed. The terminal connecting device includes a terminal screw guiding member adapted to be displaced along a side wall, the terminal screw being engaged with the terminal screw guiding member. The terminal screw or the terminal screw guiding member may also be supported by the resilient action of an elastic member of which one end is supported by the side wall. Alternatively, the terminal screws may be housed in a housing which is slidably attached to the side wall and which may be locked in place with the aid of a resilient member and latching apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Sako, Shigeharu Ohtsuka, Hiroyuki Okado, Naoki Itoh
  • Patent number: 5368506
    Abstract: A main power terminal block (10) for a street light assembly (130) includes connectors (14) having a single-gauge metal piece (20) the front of which is adapted to receive a power conductor (16), and the back of which is shaped into overly-thick and under-wide wings (62) which are then coined along at least a peripheral edge (70) to define a thinner and wider spade lug (40, 42) to receive a spade lug terminal (76) thereover. The connector (14) also includes a nut-like member (22) and bolt (24) which cooperate with a hole (116) in the insulative housing (12) to secure connector (14) within a passageway (90) of housing (12) while also electrically and mechanically securing conductor (16) within the front portion of connector (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: Standex International Corporation
    Inventor: H. Howard Heimbrock
  • Patent number: 5292264
    Abstract: An earthing stud for use as a weld stud for the application of a cable-retaining terminal with cable holder having a base part with non-circular boundary and a cooperating plastic part having a lower portion with an internal boundary matching the external boundary of the base part and an upper portion provided with recesses for receiving the cable holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Assignee: Emhart Inc.
    Inventor: Ekhard Blank
  • Patent number: 5266058
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a terminal connecting device which simplifies and facilitates achieving the proper alignment between a male-threaded portion of a terminal screw and a female-threaded hole of a stationary terminal, and moreover, which assures that a fastening operation is easily performed. The terminal connecting device includes a terminal screw guiding member adapted to be displaced along a side wall, the terminal screw being engaged with the terminal screw guiding member. The terminal screw or the terminal screw guiding member may also be supported by the resilient action of an elastic member of which one end is supported by the side wall. Alternatively, the terminal screws may be housed in a housing which is slidably attached to the side wall and which may be locked in place with the aid of a resilient member and latching apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki K.K.
    Inventors: Yuji Sako, Shigeharu Ohtsuka, Hiroyuki Okado, Naoki Itoh
  • Patent number: 5249989
    Abstract: An electrical screw-on terminal assembly is provided for a connection to wires or cables, particularly those with eye connectors. The terminal assembly has a housing and a screw which, as it is screwed in, passes through a first plate, and when fully screwed in, a second plate. The first plate is mounted so that it cannot rotate or be moved longitudinally, while the second plate is mounted so that it can be moved longitudinally but not rotated. When the terminal is completely open, the second plate abuts a stop on the housing and is held in this position by a resistive force, which can be overcome by the screw, so that the aperture onto which the cable or cable eye is inserted remains unobstructed. The screw can be screwed into a bore in the first plate until it engages the second plate. The bore in the first plate has no internal thread, but has projections which engage the screw threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: Hubert L. Naimer
    Inventor: Gottfried Alsch
  • Patent number: 5183419
    Abstract: A stamped metal battery post connector having a base portion for crimped connection to an electrical conductor and an integral contact portion for engaging a battery post with the contact portion having a first wall member with a first post-receiving aperture, a second wall member with a second post-receiving aperture and a threaded connector for drawing the first wall member toward the second wall member to clamp the connector to the battery post. The first and second post-receiving apertures are each formed with an annular surface having coined recesses to grippingly engage and penetrate the battery post to inhibit angular rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Assignee: United Technologies Automotive, Inc.
    Inventor: John H. Dewar
  • Patent number: 5093215
    Abstract: A nut anti-slipping member is provided, which has a nut insertion groove and covers bottom end portions of one-side opening end of a nut insertion hole. A nut is inserted in the nut insertion hole with the nut deviated from the nut anti-slipping member. In case when the nut is of a square-pole-shape type with rectangular section, the entire nut can pass upper parts of the anti-slipping member when the nut is inserted in the nut insertion hole in a horizontally longitudinal position, and a bottom part of the nut can pass the nut insertion groove when the nut is inserted in the nut insertion hole in a vertically longitudinal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Assignees: Yuasa Battery Co., Ltd., Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshio Hasegawa, Kenji Kawaguchi, Shuji Takahashi
  • Patent number: 5041026
    Abstract: A ship-open pressure type wiring terminal for electrical apparatus wherein a threaded hole in the terminal is disposed immediately adjacent and aligned with a clearance opening in a plastic housing part overlying the terminal. One or more thin plastic webs integral with the housing part project transversely into the clearance opening and are deflected into the threaded hole upon insertion of a screw through the clearance opening, the web or webs being compressed between associated threaded walls of the screw and terminal hole to provide frictional resistance to rotation of the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Norbert Hansel
  • Patent number: 4929198
    Abstract: A conductor connection assembly includes a U-shaped receptacle into which one can insert from above a screw-clamping assembly comprising a screw, a nut threadably connected with the screw, and a wire protection part in the form of a barrel spring or collar connected with the screw. On the nut, there are provided lateral protrusions adapted to fit within corresponding recesses provided in the side walls of the U-shaped receptacle. The screw clamping mechanism and the U-shaped receptacle are locked into position since the collar includes in the upper area thereof lateral shoulder projections which abut against the side edges of the side walls of the U-shaped receptacle upon activation of the screw to displace the clamping mechanism downwardly into the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1990
    Assignee: C. A. Weidmuller GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Rudiger Strate, Rainer Schulze, Michael Schnatwinkel, Georg Wagner, Manfred Wilmes, Bernd Haller, Ernst Herkner, Jorg Diekmann, Herbert Henning
  • Patent number: 4921455
    Abstract: An electric connection terminal is provided with a braked screw, in particular for a contactor apparatus. One end of the screw, which projects from the threaded hole in which it is engaged, comes into transverse contact with a resiliently deformable tongue forming part of a portion of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: La Telemecanique Electrique
    Inventors: Philipe Marie, Pierre J. Decelle
  • Patent number: 4905122
    Abstract: Lateral ears of a terminal strap are bent sharply upward to form sidewalls spaced apart by the width of the strap, openings in the sidewalls overlapping arcuate edge portions of an annular flange of a threaded nut to loosely captivate the nut in position over a hole in the strap for cooperation with a threaded post projecting through the hole upon attachment of the breaker to a panelboard. Upper edges of the sidewall openings are abutted by the flange, and a frustoconical rear surface of the nut is engaged by the thread post upon installation to automatically align the nut and post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas E. Culnan, Lacy L. Hall, II
  • Patent number: 4874321
    Abstract: An improved space-saving and clearly arranged adapter apparatus for mechanical and electrical connection of installation devices such as automatic circuit breakers, motor protection switches, contactors, protectors, relays, and the like with bus rails of a bus bar system. The apparatus has an adapter housing which can be placed on the bus rails, contact bars in the housing, and adjustable clamps for mechanically and electrically connecting the contact bars to the bus rails. The contact bars extend to a connector side of the adapter housing and there form connectors for leads. The adapter housing has on its front a mounting bracket for mounting of installation devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1989
    Assignee: Rittal-Werk Rudolf Loh GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Hans Wagener, Jurgen Zachrei
  • Patent number: 4857021
    Abstract: An assembly comprising a tap plug having therein an axially fixed nut and including an externally threaded portion threaded into a cable connector lug, a bushing having therein an internally threaded bore, and a stud including an externally threaded first end threaded into the nut, and an externally threaded second end threaded into the bushing bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Assignee: Cooper Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent J. Boliver, Paul M. Roscizewski, Edward L. Sankey, Roy W. DeMeyer
  • Patent number: 4836808
    Abstract: The invention relates to a captive nut terminal for an electronic module power connector (4,4'), of the type comprising a lug (4b) projecting above the resin embedding the circuits of the module, bent at right angles above the upper face of the module and having a hole (6) for the subsequent passage of a screw for connection to an external terminal and a nut disposed under said lug in line with the hole, said terminal being characterized in that the nut is held captive in a housing (8) of a size and shape allowing the nut a slight multidirectional play but preventing rotation thereof, said housing being formed in the upper face of a piece (7,7') fixed to and positioned on the connector (4,4'), under the lug (4b), and having, on at least one of its sides, a hollow (13) for anchoring said piece in said resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Assignee: Power Compact, Societe Anonyme
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Mallet, Jean-Louis Landais
  • Patent number: 4812605
    Abstract: A switch housing extends to enclose wiring terminals, incorporating holes for insertion of wire conductors and for accessing a clamping screw assembly with a tool to clamp the conductor against the terminal. Individual cavities for each terminal are substantially sealed against ingress of dust, electrically isolating the terminals, and preventing removal of the screw from the respective cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Jackson H. Smith
  • Patent number: 4780096
    Abstract: A ground clamp having a clamping strap formed of a corrosive-resisting material with a series of uniformly sized and spaced apertures to facilitate the installation of the clamping strap and clamp onto a wide range of pipe, rod or conduit diameters. A tightening stud, through which the clamping strap is secured about the object to be grounded, includes a terminal portion having a slot therein to receive and have secured thereto one or more terminated ground wires. A pair of curved plates are adjustably positionable along the stud to form a tight clamping action of the clamping strap about the object to be grounded without subjecting the strap to localized stresses or damage. An abrading sleeve is carried by the clamping strap, and positioned thereon to engage the outer surface of the pipe, rod or conduit to be grounded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1988
    Inventor: George J. Franks, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4669806
    Abstract: An electrical terminal strip comprises an insulating body having a plurality of connector compartments, a corresponding number of clamp members constructed as compartment liners each having a clamp passage in which an electrical conductor is insertable and a threaded hole for receiving a clamp screw. Each of the clamp members is provided with a clamp bracket having both a conductor engaging element and at least one solder connector pin. The clamp member is insertable through its solder connector end into the connector compartments of the insulating body where it is held undetachably, while the clamp bracket is subsequently inserted through a lateral opening in the insulating body in a direction opposite to the direction the conductor is inserted so that the conductor engaging element is in the clamp space. No other components or assembly steps are required to unite the conductor clamp member and clamp bracket in the insulating body, but a base plate may or may not be a part of the electrical strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1987
    Assignee: Karl Lumberg GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Helmut Fuchs