IL27563A

IL27563A - Wire connector

Info

Publication number: IL27563A
Application number: IL27563A
Authority: IL
Original assignee: Anzini R; Pasbrig M
Priority date: 1964-10-12
Filing date: 1967-03-09
Publication date: 1972-01-27
Also published as: BE705720A; GB1209925A; AT274095B; ES339855A2; FR93198E; NL6711841A; NL150955B; US3517420A

Description

WIRE COMEOTOR P.A. 27563/3 The present invention relates to connectors for connecting wires, cables, or the like without the use of screws or equivalent means* A number of such devices are already known in the art. One form o such device, known as a unipolar electric plug, includes an outwardly conversing conical cavity adapted to receive the end of the wire or conductor to be fixed, there being a springs-biased ball disposed within the cavity. By slightly compr&ssing the spring, it is possible to insert the wire between the ball and the inner wall of the cavity. The ball clamps the wire against the cavity wall when the wire is ^subjected to traction, A very serious inconvenience which is inherent in the foregoing devices is that, in order to remove the wire or conductor, it is necessary to depress the ball with another conductor, needle, or other kind of pointed tool, which may become Jammed within the cavity. A further drawback in the foregoing connector is that the contact surface betwee the ball and the wire is limited practically to one point only.

In our Swiss Patents 03912 of December 15» 1 65 and ¾22097 of October 15, 1965» there are described other forms of connectors for connecting wires or the like without the use of screws or equivalent means, such connectors Include a body having a cavity, a locking member within the cavity, and resilient means biasing the locking member toward the open end of the cavity* In such connectors, the wire is clamped Ρ·A.25563 3 by the wedging engagement between the head of the locking member and the inner wall of the body.

The present invention provides connectors of the foregoing type having an improved clam ing action between the locking member and the wire or the like being clamped* According to the present invention* there is provided a connector for connecting wires or the like without the use of screws or equivalent means, the connector comprising a body having a cavity open at one end of the body for introducing a wire therein, the inner wall of the cavity being tapered inwardly toward its open end* a locking member within the cavity* and resilient means biasing the locking member toward said open end for wedging engagement with the inner wall of the body and the wire introduced into the open end* characterized in that said locking member includes a convex head of mushroom shape at its upper end, and below it a stem provided with projections engageable with the wire for wedging same against the inner wall of the housing when a pull force is applied to the wire* said resilient means being in the form of a spring engaging the end of the stem below said projections.

Preferably* the projections are in the form of annular steps of decreasing diameter in the direction of the springsengaging end of the stem* P.A. 27563/3 In the preferred embodiment of the invention described below the axis of the cavity is eccentric with respect to the axis of the body. Further, the upper surface of the head of the locking member is formed fr±t a central recess for receiving a pointed tool for moving the locking member into unlocking position* Zf desired, a pin may be fixed in that recess to protrude through the open end of the cavity, to facilitate moving the locking member.

The connector of the present invention is also usable as a mechanical joint.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description below. a> P.A. 27563/2 The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a partial axial sectional view of a connector constructed in accordance with the invention, the locking member of the connector being in open or unlocking position; and Pig. 2 is a view similar to that of Fig. 1 but showing the locking member in its closed or locking position.

The connector illustrated in the drawings comprises a body or housing 1 formed with a cavity 5 open at the upper end (5*) an also at the side (l»») of the body. The inner wall of the upper open end of the cavity is tapered inwardly, as shown as 5·.

Cavity 6 is adapted to be closed by a locking member 2 which is biased to the upper part 2* of the cavity by means of a spring k . Locking member 2 includes a convex head 2* of mushroom shape at its upper end, and below it, a stem having a plurality of projections in the form of annular steps 2tn, of decreasing diameter in the direction of the spring-engaging end 2** of the stem. The latter end is rounded or formed as a ball for engagement with the end of spring 4. 3 P.A. 27563/2 As shown, the upper end of head 2 of the lock* ing member Is formed with a central recess. The latter recess is adapted to the engaged by a pointed tool inserted through opening 5* of the body and moved in the direction of arrow 20 for depressing locking member 2 against the action of spring .

When the locking member is so depressed, a wire or cable 7 may be inserted through opening 5* between the inner wall of the cavity and head 2M of the locking member* If the wire or cable 7 inserted is sufficiently rigid, i.e. if it is strong enough¾to overcome the resistence of spring k, a separated pointed tool is not necessary in order to depress locking member 2.

After the wire 7 has been inse ted into cavity 5 through opening 5'» the locking member may be released, whereon it will rise under the action of spring into closing position against wire 7» as shown in Fig. 2. Now if wire 21 is pulled in the direction of arrow 21, the wire will become wedged, between the annular steps 2*9 formed in the stem of the locking member and the inner wall of the cavity. Thus, the wire will be firmly clamped in place, the clamping force increasing with the increase in the pulling force applied to the wire.

In order to facilitate the introduction of the wire 7 into cavity 5 of body 1, the axis AB of cavity 5, including its tapered or conical portion 5't in which the locking member 2 is disposed, of the body 1. In this way, even with a body 1 of relatively small diameter, it is possible to have a cavity 5 which is sufficiently large to receive the wire 7· The wire 7 may protrude out of opening 1" ♦ of the body.

The described connector may be used as an electrical plug for connecting electrical wires, and may also be used as a mechanical joint for connecting cables or fixing the Stfep end of a cable to another body. The annular steps formed in the stem of the locking member provide a very firm grip on the wire or cable with little, if any, danger of slipping.

The above-described locking action by the stem of the locking member is further enhanced by the spherical shape of the end 2WW of the stem engaged by the spring. The locking member thus behaves as a lever pivoted at its spherical end and having an arm which increases the clamping force applied to the wire, thereby securely holding the wire within the connector.

A pin 26 may be fixed within the recess form in the head of the locking member, as shown in Fig, 2, Pin 26 may be fixed within the recess by threading or soldering, and protrudes through the open end * of the cavity. Thus, locking member 2 may be depressed by" merely pushingdown on pin 26, to thereby release the wire 7· Annular steps 2M ' on locking member 2 may be replaced by equivalent projections without thereby departing from the spirit of the invention.

While the invention has been described with respect to a unipolar plug, it may also of course be used in multi-polar plugs or in mechanical joints, as described* Many other modi ications! variations and applications of the illustrated embodiment will be apparent*

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED ISl

1· A connector for connecting wires or the like without the use of screws or equivalent means, the connector comprising a body having a cavity open at one end of the body for introducing a wire therein, the inner wall of the cavity being tapered inwardly toward its open end, a looking member within the cavity, and resilient means biasing the locking member toward said open end for wedging engagement with the inner wall of the body and the wire introduced into the open end, characterized in that said locking member includes a convex head of mushroom shape at its upper end, and below it a stem provided with projections engageable with the wire for wedging same against the inner wall of the housing when a pull force is applied to the wire, said resilient means being in the form of .a spring engaging the end of the stem below said projections.

2. A connector according to Claim 1, wherein said projections are in the form of annular steps of decreasing diameter in the direction of the spring-engaging end of the stem.

3. A connector according to either of Claims 1 or 2, wherein the axis of the cavity is eccentric with respect to the axis of the body.

. A connector according to any one of Claims 1-3» wherein th½ upper surface of the head of the locking member is formed with a central recess for receiving a pointed tool for moving the locking member into unlocking position.

5. A connector according to Claim k f further including a pin fixed in said recess and protruding theough the open end of the cavity to facilitate moving the locking member.

6. A connector substantially as described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. COHEN ZEDEK & SPISBACH P.O.BOX §3116, TEL AVIV ATTORNEYS FOR APPLICANT. .8-