AU4445799A

AU4445799A - Control wire terminal for wire terminals

Info

Publication number: AU4445799A
Application number: AU44457/99A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Kenneth Daniel Kolberg; Andrew James Male; Richard Edwin White
Original assignee: Eaton Corp
Current assignee: Eaton Corp
Priority date: 1998-08-20
Filing date: 1999-08-12
Publication date: 2000-03-09
Also published as: CA2280504A1; EP0981178A2

Description

P00011 Regulation 3.2 Revised 2/98

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act, 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT r TO BE COMPLETED BY THE APPLICANT 0t** NAME OF APPLICANT: ACTUAL INVENTORS: EATON CORPORATION KENNETH DANIEL KOLBERG; ANDREW JAMES MALE and RICHARD EDWIN WHITE ADDRESS FOR SERVICE: INVENTION TITLE: DETAILS OF ASSOCIATED PROVISIONAL APPLICATION NO: Peter Maxwell Associates Level 6 Pitt Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 CONTROL WIRE TERMINAL FOR WIRE

TERMINALS

NIL

The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to me:- This invention relates generally to terminal cable clamps and more particularly, to terminal cable clamps with auxiliary wire connections.

There is a need at certain cable clamp terminals to provide auxiliary wire connections for control, monitoring, or other auxiliary purposes.

Currently these control wire connections are fastened to the cable clamp terminal by a mechanical fastener, such as a screw. In some designs, the screw attachment is not convenient.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved auxiliary wire connection .that can accommodate most cable clamp terminal designs.

10 In addition, there is a need for an improved auxiliary wire connection that can be removably connected to a cable clamp without modifying the clamp design.

Furthermore, an improved auxiliary wire connection is desired that can accommodate a variety of wire connector designs.

15 These and other objects are satisfied by an improved auxiliary wire terminal of this invention for removable placement in an electrical terminal cable clamp having an opening for inserting the electrical cable. The auxiliary terminal is formed from a flat elongated member constructed from an electrically conductive material having a plurality of sections along its extended length. At least one group of adjacent sections of the auxiliary terminal, starting at one end, has the section formed at right angles to each other, with the section adjacent the one at the one end extending a distance that will traverse the clamp and the opening. The other end of the elongated member terminates in an auxiliary terminal shape that is adapted to connect with an auxiliary wire connector.

In the preferred embodiment, the other end, that includes an end section carrying the auxiliary terminal shape, is bent at an angle to the section traversing the clamp, in a direction that will provide some clearance between the electrical cable and the auxiliary terminal shape. Preferably the angle is 200 from a line parallel to the terminal surface that the cable is clamped to.

The present invention will now be described in conjunction with accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like elements and in which: Fig. 1 is a top plane view of the auxiliary wire terminal of this invention; 10 Fig. 2 is a side view of the auxiliary wire terminal of this invention; and Fig. 3 is a side view partially in section of a terminal clamp incorporating the auxiliary wire terminal of this invention.

In some applications it is desirable to connect an auxiliary wire to a 15 cable clamp, for example, on a circuit interrupter, for control, monitoring, and sensing circuit properties. Since it is not always required, and in some instances may create interference, it is preferable that the auxiliary terminal to which the wire is connected be removable, preferably without altering the main terminal. The auxiliary wire terminal of this invention provides an easily connectable and removable auxiliary terminal without modification of the basic terminal clamp.

A top plane view of the terminal of this invention is illustrated in Figure 1 with a side view shown in Figure 2. The auxiliary terminal is formed from a flat, electrically conductive material, such as copper, with a vertical section 12 bent at right angles to a horizontal section 14 which forms the clamp surface that holds the auxiliary terminal in place. Preferably, section 16 has a reduced width compared to section 14 and is formed on the M 0- Mopposite side of section 14 from the vertical section 12. Section 16 is intended to extended outside the opening of the cable clamp into which the cable is inserted. Section 16 includes an additional section at its end having a further narrowed width that is shaped to mate with the corresponding connector on the auxiliary wire to which it is to be attached. This section 18 also includes a hole 20 to which a clamp and screw can be anchored to clamp the auxiliary wire if desired. The end of section 16 is shaped so that it can mate with a corresponding clip or other connector on the auxiliary wire, chosen by the user.

S" 10 Figure 3 illustrates a terminal cable clamp incorporating the auxiliary wire terminal of this invention. The terminal cable clamp is generally shown by reference character 22 and includes a housing section 30 and electrical terminal 24 that extends from the cable opening 34 to the rear of the clamp housing 30 where it continues at a right angle along the wall of the housing.

15 The stripped down section 26 of cable 28 is inserted through the opening 34 and rests against the horizontal portion of the terminal 24. A clamping screw 32 is secured within a threaded portion of the housing 30 and clamps the cable in electrical communication with the horizontal portion of the electrical terminal 24. The auxiliary terminal 10 of this invention is anchored in place with the cable clamp. The back section 12 is positioned behind the terminal clamping screw 32. The clamped auxiliary terminal surface 14 rests on the cable clamp electrical terminal 24. The connector end 18 protrudes out of the cable clamp terminal opening 34. The connector section 16 is bent at an angle approximately 200 below the bottom surface of the terminal 24 to clear the cable 28. Clamping the cable 28 along its stripped section 26 also clamps the auxiliary wire connector surface 14 onto the terminal 24.

Thus, this invention provides a convenient and efficient way of adding an auxiliary terminal to a cable clamp.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of invention which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof.

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Claims

1. An auxiliary wire terminal for removable placement in an electrical terminal cable clamp having an opening for inserting an electrical cable comprising: a flat elongated member formed from an electrically conductive material and having a plurality of sections along its extended length with at least one set of adjacent sections starting at one end having the sections •formed at right angles to each other, with the section adjacent the one at the one end extending a distance that will traverse the clamp and clear the opening, with the other end of the elongated member terminating in an auxiliary terminal shape.

2. The auxiliary wire terminal of claim 1 wherein the length of the section at the one end is less than or equal to the height of the opening. ogle The auxiliary wire terminal of claim 2 wherein the length of the section at the one end is less than or equal to the clearance under the cable clamp when the clamp is substantially in the full open position.

4. The auxiliary wire terminal of claim 1 wherein the auxiliary terminal shape is a necked-down region that can slip into a sleeve connector on the auxiliary wire. The auxiliary wire terminal of claim 1 wherein the auxiliary terminal shape includes a screw hole that a screw or other fastener can be secured in to clamp the auxiliary wire.

6. The auxiliary wire terminal of claim 1 wherein the other end includes an end section including the auxiliary terminal shape, the end section being bent at an angle to the section traversing the clamp in a direction that will provide some clearance between the electrical cable and the auxiliary terminal shape.

7. The auxiliary wire terminal of claim 6 wherein the angle is approximately 200. A method of creating an auxiliary terminal in an electrical terminal *4o* clamp having an opening for inserting an electrical cable comprising: inserting a flat elongated member formed from an electrically conductive material and having a plurality of sections along its extended length with at least one set of adjacent sections starting at one end having the sections formed at right angles to each other, with the section adjacent the one at the one end extending a distance that will traverse the clamp and clear the opening, with the other end of the elongated member terminating in an auxiliary terminal shape, and wherein the one end is parallel to the clamp and the adjacent section seats below the cable and is fastened in position when the clamp is closed on the cable; inserting the cable into the clamp; and closing the clamp.

9. An auxiliary wire terminal substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing. 8 A method of creating an auxiliary wire terminal substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing. Dated this 11th day of August, 1999 EATON CORPORATION Patent Attorneys for the Applicant PETER MAXWELL ASSOCIATES r 9 9...I .9 tfo o* 9O 9 o