EP0090494B1 - Connector assembly for undercarpet cable - Google Patents

Connector assembly for undercarpet cable Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0090494B1
EP0090494B1 EP19830300934 EP83300934A EP0090494B1 EP 0090494 B1 EP0090494 B1 EP 0090494B1 EP 19830300934 EP19830300934 EP 19830300934 EP 83300934 A EP83300934 A EP 83300934A EP 0090494 B1 EP0090494 B1 EP 0090494B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cable
faceplate
electrical
block structure
cover
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
EP19830300934
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0090494A1 (en
Inventor
Reginald Alfred Bates
Micky Lee Mayberry
Robert Philmore Reavis, Jr.
Lawrence Paul Weisenburger
Albert David Willette
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
TE Connectivity Corp
Original Assignee
AMP Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by AMP Inc filed Critical AMP Inc
Publication of EP0090494A1 publication Critical patent/EP0090494A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0090494B1 publication Critical patent/EP0090494B1/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R12/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
    • H01R12/50—Fixed connections
    • H01R12/59—Fixed connections for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures
    • H01R12/65—Fixed connections for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures characterised by the terminal
    • H01R12/67—Fixed connections for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures characterised by the terminal insulation penetrating terminals
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R25/00—Coupling parts adapted for simultaneous co-operation with two or more identical counterparts, e.g. for distributing energy to two or more circuits
    • H01R25/006—Coupling parts adapted for simultaneous co-operation with two or more identical counterparts, e.g. for distributing energy to two or more circuits the coupling part being secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. duplex wall receptacle
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • H01R4/24—Connections using contact members penetrating or cutting insulation or cable strands

Definitions

  • US patent number US-A-4 240 688 describes a connector assembly for mounting on a floor and for connecting electrical socket receptacles with corresponding conductors of a flat and flexible undercarpet cable extending along the floor comprises, cable connecting terminals in an insulating terminal block structure, conductors connecting the cable connecting terminals to conducting portions of the socket receptacles and a base portion and cover forming a composite housing on which the receptacles are positioned for receipt of an electrical plug of the type provided on an electrical and of a household appliance or office machine, It is a requirement that the connector assembly have a minimum number of parts designed for ease of assembly with the undercarpet cable.
  • the terminal block is capable of assembly to the cable without requirement for severing the conductors or stripping the cable insulation.
  • a further requirement is that the connector assembly be of sturdy construction to withstand collision from floor traffic or furniture.
  • a connector assembly of compact form is desirable to reduce the possibility of collision.
  • a protective cover is desirable for the receptacles.
  • the socket receptacles are embodied in an insulating receptacle body which is separate from a terminal block for assembly with the cable. Electrical wires are required to bridge between the socket receptacles and the separate terminal block. First ends of the wires are wrapped over the shanks of screw fasteners that are tightened against the electrical terminals of the terminal block. Second ends of the wires are wrapped over the shanks of screw fasteners that are carried by the receptacle body and tightened against conductive portions of the receptacles.
  • the wires become relocated when the receptacle body is moved into a desired position against a portion of the housing and is secured in place by additional screw fasteners.
  • the disadvantage of screw fasteners is that they require time consuming hand tightening and they tend to loosen, particularly when the wires are relocated, thereby placing strain upon the screw fasteners.
  • the terminal block and separate receptacle body are difficult to assembly with the wires and into a compact form.
  • the invention is a connector assembly for connecting electrical socket receptacles with corresponding conductors of a flat and flexible undercarpet cable of the type set out above and characterized in that, the conducting portions of the receptacles and the cable connecting terminals are integrally joined by strip conductors, the terminal block comprises an insulating and cable clamping block structure, preferably but not necessarily of one piece construction, and includes cavities receiving the strip conductors and extending between different external faces associated, respectively, with the cable connecting terminals and the conducting portions of the receptacles, and cable penetrating lances are on the cable connecting terminals and are adapted to penetrate completely through a layer of insulation of the cable and penetrate into corresponding conductors of the cable when the cable is clamped between an external face of the block structure and a base portion of a composite housing containing the block structure.
  • the advantage of the invention is that the base portions of the housing, the cable and the terminal block structure are stacked together in compact form with a minimum expenditure of labor, and a clamping force is applied by the base portion and the terminal block structure to establish their assembly to the cable as well as good electrical connections of the electrical socket receptacles with the corresponding conductors of the cable.
  • the receptacles need not be relocated during assembly of the cover, and thereby the electrical connections are undisturbed.
  • the base portion is formed with lands that project in raised relief, the cable is clamped between the terminal block and corresponding lands, a conductive fastener carrier by the terminal block passes through a corresponding conductor and is secured in a corresponding land, and fasteners carried by the cover are secured in corresponding lands.
  • the raised lands provide clearance spaces for the tips of the fasteners that are driven first into the top side of the lands, and then through the thickness of the lands and out from the bottom side of the lands.
  • the raised lands advantageously grip the cable while the cable is clamped against the penetrating electrical terminals.
  • Figure 1 shows an electrical connector assembly 1 for attachment to an undercarpet flat, flexible cable 2 shown in Figure 2.
  • the cable 2 includes three flexible elongated conductors 3, 4, 5, held parallel and spaced apart by a surrounding sheath 6 of plastics material insulation.
  • a commercial office is supplied with electrical wiring by a network of the cable 2 that is routed along the floor of the office.
  • the cable is laid over a flexible ribbon layer of plastics shield 7 that is laid against the office floor to protect the cable 2 from damage by floor irregularities.
  • the cable 2 is covered by a ribbon layer of metal shield 8 which protects the cable for foot traffic and furniture. Carpeting is installed to cover the office floor.
  • the network of cable 2 is protected by the layers of shield 7, 8 and is hidden under the carpeting.
  • Figure 3 shows details of the component parts of the connector 1.
  • a flat metal plate 10 is stamped and formed with elongate lands 11, 12, 13 in raised relief.
  • a pair of spaced apart tabs 14, 14 project from one side edge of the plate 10 and are bent to project outwardly of the plane of the plate 10.
  • a similar pair of tabs 15, 15 are on an opposite side edge of the plate.
  • Slotted apertures 16, 16 are provided along end edges of the plate 10 and receive fasteners 17, 17 in the form of machine screws that anchor the plate 10 to an office floor.
  • a cushion pad 18 of insulating material, for example, is constructed to overlie the lands 11, 12, 13.
  • Figures 3 and 5 show a terminal block 19 constructed to overlie the lands 11, 12, 13.
  • the terminal block 19 is moulded of insulating plastics and with locking means in the form of projecting feet 20A, 21A that register in apertures 20B, 21 in the raised lands 11, 13 respectively.
  • the feet 20A, 21A lock the terminal block against movement relative to the lands 11, 13.
  • Apertures 22, 23 through the block carry fasteners 22A, 23A in the form of machine screws that are secured in apertures 22B, 23B in the raised land 12.
  • the block 19 is provided with three terminal receiving cavities 24, 25, 26 that extend from a first side 27 of the block to a second side 28 from which project the feet 20A, 21 A.
  • Figure 4 shows electrical terminals 24A, 25A, 26A that are stamped and formed from single pieces of metal strip and are constructed for assembly within the cavities 24, 25, 26, respectively.
  • the terminals 24A and 26A are identical to the extent that they have resilient electrical receptacle portions 24B, 24B, 26B, 26B defined by and between pairs of opposed spring fingers 24C, 24C, 24C, 24C, 26C, 26C, 26C, 26C.
  • Auxiliary fingers 24D, 24D, 26D, 26D form sides of the electrical receptacles.
  • the terminals 24A, 26A further include conductor terminating portions 24E, 26E in the form of planar plates with raised in relief, knife edged lances 24F, 24F, 26F, 26F.
  • the terminal 25A includes electrical receptacle portions 258, 25B defined by and between pairs of opposed resilient spring fingers 25C, 25C, 25C, 25C.
  • Terminal 25A further includes a conductor terminating portion 25E in the form of a planar plate having knife edged lances 25F, 25F raised in relief.
  • the terminals 24A, 25A, 26A are assembled in respective cavities 24, 25, 26 of the terminal block 19.
  • the receptacle portions 24B, 24B, 25B, 25B, 26B, 26B are retained in the cavities 24, 25, 26 and face toward, and open toward, the first side 27 of the terminal block 19. Operation of these receptacle portions is well known from the disclosure of U.S. Patent No. 3,860,739.
  • FIG. 5 shows a conducting fastener 29A in the form of a conducting machine screw carried in a bore 29 of the cover extending from the first side 27 to the second side 28.
  • the conductive fastener 29A is constructed to secure in an aperture 29B in the land 12.
  • a conductive plate 29C has projecting knife edged lances 29D, 29D, and is moulded in a recess 29E in the land 12. The lances 29D, 29D, project through an opening 29E in the pad 18.
  • Figures 3 and 7 show a faceplate 30 of moulded plastics and having flanges 31 moulded with projecting feet 32 constructed for assembly in apertures 32A in the side 27 of the terminal block 19.
  • the flanges 31 are moulded with a raised track 33 having two arrays of profiled apertures 24G, 24G, 25G, 25G, 26G, 26G aligned with the electrical receptacle portions 24B, 24B, 25B, 25B, 26B, 26B and constructed for receipt of an electrical plug (not shown) of the type provided on the electrical cord of a household appliance or office machine.
  • a cover plate is divided into two cover sections 34A, 34B constructed for slidably mounting on the track 33.
  • Wire springs mount in each of recesses 36, 36, 36, 36 in the first side 27 of the terminal block 19 and pass through openings 36A, 36A, 36A, 36A in the faceplate 30 and engage respective cover sections 34A, 34B, and bias the cover sections into mutual abutment.
  • the cover sections 34A, 34B each have profiled apertures 24H, 25H, 26H that become aligned with the profiled apertures 24G, 25G, 26G in the faceplate 30 upon slidably positioning the cover sections 34A, 34B along the track 33 in opposition to the springs and in respect to the faceplate 30.
  • the terminal block 19 is assembled with the terminals 24A, 25A, 26A, the faceplate 30, and the cover sections 34A, 34B.
  • Figures 3 and 8 show a cover 37 constructed to cover the plate 10.
  • Fasteners 38A in the form of machine screws are carried in bores 38 of the cover 37 and are constructed to secure in apertured lands 38B that are raised in relief from the plate 10.
  • the cover 37 has a hollow interior 39 constructed to receive the terminal block 19.
  • a top wall 40 surrounding the hollow interior 39 is constructed for mounting against the first side 27 of the terminal block 19 coplanar with the flanges 31 of the faceplate 30.
  • FIG. 6 Further details of the assembly are shown in Figure 6.
  • the cable 2 and the shields 7, 8 are laid against a floor.
  • the shield 8 is severed transversely of its length to expose the cable 2.
  • the plate 10 is assembled between the cable 2 and the shield 7 and is secured by the fastener 17 to the floor.
  • the elongate lands 11, 12, 13 lie under the conductors 3, 4, 5 while the insulation pad 18 separates and cushions the conductors from the lands 11, 12, 13.
  • Figure 7 shows the edges of the shield 8 folded out of the plane of the remainder of the shield 8 to impinge the tabs 14,15.
  • the edges of the shield 8 are trimmed to the height of the tabs 14, 15.
  • Conductive U-shaped spring clips 14A, 15A clip together the shield 8 and the tabs 14, 15 thereby establishing electrical connections therebetween.
  • the terminals block 19 overlies the lands 11, 12, 13 with the cable conductors 3, 4, 5 interposed.
  • the fasteners 23A, 29A, 22A is secured in the lands 11, 12, 13 and mount the block 19 to the .
  • the conductive fastener 29A are secured also into and through the conductor 4, and the plate 29C establishing ground potential electrical connections with the plates 10, 29C, the conductor 4 and the fastener 29A.
  • the conductors 3, 4, 5 are clamped between the block and the lands 11, 12, 13.
  • the conductors conform to the raised edges of the lands and are gripped by the raised lands to prevent their movement.
  • the cushion 18 prevents the raised edges of the lands from penetrating the cable insulation 6.
  • the block 19 urges the knife edged lances 24F, 24F, 25F, 25F, 26F, 26F, 29D, 29D to penetrate completely through a layer of the cable insulation 6 and penetrate respective conductors 3, 4, 5, thereby to establish electrical connections with those conductors and those lances.
  • cover 37 shown in Figure 8 is assembled over the terminal block 19, the faceplate 30 and the cover section 34A and 34B, so that the wall 40 of the cover 37 is coplanar with the flanges 31, 31 of the faceplate 30.
  • the cover sections 34A, 34B are slidably supported on the track 33 that is elevated from the flanges 31, 31 and the wall 40.

Landscapes

  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
  • Multi-Conductor Connections (AREA)
  • Installation Of Indoor Wiring (AREA)
  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
  • Details Of Indoor Wiring (AREA)
  • Connection Or Junction Boxes (AREA)
EP19830300934 1982-03-04 1983-02-23 Connector assembly for undercarpet cable Expired EP0090494B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US35483982A 1982-03-04 1982-03-04
US354839 1982-03-04

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0090494A1 EP0090494A1 (en) 1983-10-05
EP0090494B1 true EP0090494B1 (en) 1985-12-04

Family

ID=23395110

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19830300934 Expired EP0090494B1 (en) 1982-03-04 1983-02-23 Connector assembly for undercarpet cable

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0090494B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JPS58166684A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CA (1) CA1190293A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE3361372D1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
MX (1) MX153458A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4618203A (en) * 1985-04-08 1986-10-21 Thomas & Betts Corporation Isolated ground device for flat undercarpet cable
DE3619370A1 (de) * 1986-06-09 1987-12-10 Siemens Ag Verfahren und anordnung zur kontaktierung von geschirmten flachbandkabeln
GB2195839B (en) * 1986-08-21 1991-01-09 Amp Inc Flat cable transition block.

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1437721A (en) * 1973-06-21 1976-06-03 Cannon Electric Great Britain Electrical termination arrangements for flat cables
CA1065031A (en) * 1976-08-12 1979-10-23 Amp Incorporated Slot-type electrically conductive terminal
US4030801A (en) * 1976-08-24 1977-06-21 Amp Incorporated Electrical connector junction for carpeted floor
US4240688A (en) * 1979-10-01 1980-12-23 Amp Incorporated Floor fixture

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0090494A1 (en) 1983-10-05
DE3361372D1 (en) 1986-01-16
CA1190293A (en) 1985-07-09
JPS58166684A (ja) 1983-10-01
MX153458A (es) 1986-10-17
JPH0459753B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1992-09-24

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