MXPA95004671A - Connected electric connector device for connecting electrically simultaneous multip electrical conductors - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides means for electrically connecting the corresponding conductors of two adjacent sections of a multi-phase electric distribution system. The electrical connector device (10) has a body (22) with two ends that defines a hollow passage (98) that connects the two ends. A conductor grip plate (134, 138) is slidably received within the passage. Several electrical connectors (174) are fixedly attached to the grip plate (134, 138) such that each conductor receiving cavity includes an electrical connector. The grip plate (134, 138) is selectively movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, electrical conductors (50, 70) of the two adjacent sections can be inserted into the passage at their associated ends of the connector device. In the second position, the conductors are gripped between the passage and the electrical connectors in such a way that conductors of a section that share common electrical connectors with conductors of the other section are electrically connected in a joint manner.

Description

CONNECTED ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR DEVICE TO CONNECT ELECTRICALLY IN A SIMULTANEOUS WAY MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORS Field of the Invention This invention relates to connections for electrical distribution systems that employ round solid or cable conductors, and more specifically to a bolted electrical connector device that employs a single bolt to electrically connect corresponding conductors of adjacent sections of an electrical system. multi-phase electrical distribution having round conductors such as the electrical distribution system shown and described in U.S. Patent No. 5,266,044 and U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08 / 085,341, pending, both assigned to Square D Company, as in the case of the present invention. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The electrical connections between two adjacent sections of a multi-phase electrical distribution system having round conductors have been made by spring loaded connectors or by a separate bolted connection for each phase of the distribution system, which requires additional space for connection and electrical isolation required to separate the different phases. Although the spring-loaded connections are easily assembled and can be compact in size, there are times when a bolted connection is preferred or required in an area where limited space is available. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The single pin electrical connector device of the present invention provides means for connecting the round connectors of adjacent sections of a multi-phase electrical distribution system within a limited space. The single-bolt connector device includes a cylindrical body having two conductor grip plates that are forcibly separated by a connector pin. Each of the conductor grip plates includes several electrical connectors that are gripped against the electrical conductors of the two adjacent sections of the electrical distribution system as the grip plates are forcedly separated. Other aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description, claims and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is an isometric view of two sections of an electrical distribution system with an electrical connector device constructed in accordance with the present invention between the two sections. Figure 2 is an isometric view of the body of an electrical connector device constructed in accordance with the present invention. Figure 3 is an end view of the body of the electrical connector device of the present invention. Figure 4 is an isometric view of an assembled electrical connector device constructed in accordance with the present invention. Figure 5 is an isometric view of the connector grip plates of the electrical connector device of the present invention. Figure 6 is an isometric view of an alternate embodiment of an electrical connector of the connector device of the present invention. Figure 7 is a middle sectional view of the connector device of the present invention, taken along lines 7-7 of Figure 4; Figure 8 is an end view of the electrical connector device of the present invention; , showing the driver's grip plates in a first position. Figure 9 is an end view of the electrical connector device of the present invention, showing the driver grip plates in a second position. Description of the Preferred Embodiment Form Figure 1 illustrates the basic components of an electrical distribution system, generally indicated by the reference number 10. The distribution system 10 comprises several individual sections. Each section is electrically and mechanically connected to an adjacent section, thereby forming the electrical distribution system 10. For simplicity, the description of the preferred embodiment will discuss only a first section 14, a second adjacent section 18, and an electrical connector device 22, between the first and second sections. 14 and 18, respectively. Each of the first and second sections 14 and 18, respectively, includes a housing 26 and 30, respectively. The housing 26 of the first section 14 has a first end 34 and a second end 38 and houses a plurality of electrical conductors 42. Generally, a conductor 42 is provided for each electrical phase of the distribution system 10. Each conductor 42 is housed within of an electrically insulating liner 44. Each conductor 42 has a first end 46 and a second end 50 extending outwardly from the respective first and second ends 34 and 38 of the housing 26. A portion of the insulating liner 44 is removed from each. of the first and second ends 42 and 46, respectively, to provide an electrical contact surface 54. Similarly, the housing 30 of the second section 18 has a first end 58 and a second end 62 and houses a plurality of electrical conductors 66, generally being provided with a conductor 66 for each electrical phase of the distribution system 10. Each conductor 66 has a first end 74 and a second end 78 extending outward from the respective first and second ends 58 and 62 of the housing 30. A portion of the insulating liner 70 is removed from each of the first and second ends 74 and 78, respectively, to provide a surface electrical contact 82. The connector device 22 provides means for electrically connecting the conductors 42 of the first section 14 with the corresponding conductors 66 of the second section 18. The electrical connector device 22 is positioned between two adjacent ends, such as the second end 38 of the first section 14 and the first end 58 of the second section 18, such that the electrical contact surfaces 54 of the conductors 42 of the first section 14 and the electrical contact surfaces 82 of the conductors 66 of the second section 18 can be received inside the electrical connector device 22. Referring now to Figure 2, the device c The injector 22 of the present invention includes a generally cylindrical body 86 having a first end 90 and a second end 94. The body 86 defines a hollow passage 98 connecting the first and second ends 90 and 94, respectively. The surface of the passage 98 is electrically non-conductive. Referring now to Figure 3, it can be seen that the cross-sectional shape of the passage 98 is such that its shape on one side of the vertical axis 102 or a horizontal axis 106 is a mirror image of the shape on the other side of the axis vertical 102 or horizontal axis 106, respectively. Therefore, the following description will be directed to that portion of the passage 98 on the horizontal axis 106, the portion below the horizontal axis 106 having identical elements. The shape of the passage 98 on the horizontal axis 106 defines two channels 110, each having a generally semi-circular cross section, running longitudinally between the first and second ends 90 and 94, respectively, of the body 86. Adjacent portions of the two channels 110 extend downwardly toward the passage 98 and define a generally U-shaped groove 114, having a pre-selected internal width. The slot 114 is centered on the vertical axis 102 and is open toward the center of the passage 98. The slot 114 separates the two channels 110. A T-shaped retainer 118, having a leg portion 119 and an upper portion 122, also centered on the vertical axis 102, extends towards the slot 114 so that the upper portion 122 of the T-shaped retainer 118, having a width less than the internal width of the slot 114, close the open end of the slot 114, leaving a narrow passage 126 on each side of the upper portion 122. The slot 114 and the T-shaped retainer 118 each run longitudinally between the first and second ends 90 and 94 , respectively, of the body 86. The channels 110 on the horizontal axis 106 are separated from the channels 110 below the horizontal axis 106 by a curved surface 130, having a generally circular arc, of the passage 98. Referring now to Figure 4 , a first conductor grip plate 134 and a second conductor grip plate 138 are slidably received within the passage 98 through one of the first and second ends 90 or 94, respectively. Each of the conductor grip plates 134 and 138 is made of an electrically non-conductive material and is approximately the same length as the connector body 86. Referring now to Figure 5, the first and second conductor grip plates 134 and 138, respectively, are generally identical in construction. Accordingly, the description associated with Fig. 5 will be applied to both conductor grip plates 134 and 138. Grip plates 134 and 138 have a generally flat surface 142, a gripping surface 146, a first end 150 and a second end 154. The gripping surface 146 defines two generally parallel grooves 158a and 158b extending longitudinally between the first end 150 and the second end 154. Each of the grooves 158a and 158b has a generally semi-circular cross-sectional shape. Adjacent portions 164a and 164b of the two parallel grooves 158 form a gripping plate retaining groove 162 that also extends between the first and second ends 150 and 154, respectively, and centers on the longitudinal centerline of the gripping plate 134/138, thereby separating the parallel grooves 158a and 158b. The retaining groove 162 is generally U-shaped and has an internal width slightly larger than the width of the upper portion 122 of the T-shaped retainer 118 and an external width slightly smaller than the internal width of the groove 114 (FIG. 3) . A pair of inwardly extending legs 166a and 166b in the open end of the retaining groove 162 narrow the width of the groove 162 from both sides, thereby forming a narrow clearance 170 in the center of the retaining groove 162. The width of the clearance 170 is slightly greater than the width of the leg portion 119 of the T-shaped retainer 118, but less than the width of the upper portion 122 of the T-shaped retainer 118 (FIG. 3). In other words, the retention slot 162 is dimensioned to receive the T-shaped retainer 118 with space for limited vertical movement of the upper portion 122 of the retainer 118 within the slot 162. An electrical connector 174, made of a material electrically conductor such as copper, and having a generally C-shaped cross-section is placed in each of the slots 158. The connectors 174 are fixedly attached in the slots 158 by suitable means such as an adhesive or a snap-fit construction. The electrical connectors 174 provide the means for electrically connecting the electrical conductors 42 of the first section 14 to the electrical conductors 66 of the second section 18. Referring now to FIG. 6, an "alternate" embodiment of the connector is shown. C-shaped electrical 174, designated 174 ', two parallel longitudinal edges 178a and 178b extend the entire length of the connector 174'. Notches 182 are uniformly spaced along the longitudinal edges 178a and 178b to provide a spring action between the parallel edges 178a and 178b.This spring action helps to make a good electrical connection between the electrical conductors 42 and 66 of the first and second sections. 14 and 18, respectively, and connector 174 '. J - Referring again to FIGS. 3 and 5, as the driver grip plates 134 and 138 are slidably installed in the passage 98, the T-shaped detents 118 are slidably received within the gripping plate retaining slots. 162 while the portions 164a and 164b, together with the inwardly extending legs 166a and 166b forming the retaining grooves 62, are received slidably and simultaneously within the grooves 14 of the passage 98, thereby enclosing the gripping plates 134. and 138 with the passage 98. This interlock action allows only limited movement of each of the driver grip plates 134 and 138 with respect to the passage 98 and each other. When the gripping plates 134 and 138 are installed in the manner described, each slot 158 in the gripping plates 134 and 138 is aligned or associated with a corresponding channel 110 in the passage 98 to form a conductor receiving cavity 184, as shown in FIG. shows in figures 8 and 9.

In addition, the flat surface 142 of the first conductor grip plate 134 is in juxtaposition relation with the flat surface 142 of the second conductor grip plate 138. Referring now to FIG. 7, the body 86 includes a hole pin 186 which is generally perpendicular to passage 98 and passes through body 86 along vertical axis 102 (shown in Figure 3) at a point approximately midway between the first and second ends 90 and 94, respectively, of the body 86 of the connector 22. Each of the conductor grip plates 134 and 138 includes a bolt hole 190 for communication between the flat surface 142 and the gripping surface 146. The hole 190 is located at a point between the ends first and second 150 and 154, respectively, corresponding to the position of the bolt hole 186 in the body 86 and is generally perpendicular to the flat surface 142 such that when the gripping plates 134 and 138 are received within passage 98, holes 186 and 190 are aligned. The flat surface 142 of the gripping plates 134 and 138 includes a depression 194, generally centered around a bolt hole 190. The depression 194 of one of the first or second gripping plates 134 and 138, respectively, receives a threaded plate. 198. The threaded plate 198 has a threaded hole 200 near the center of the plate, such that the threaded hole 200 is generally concentric about the axis of the bolt hole 190. The depression 194 of the other of the first or second grip plates 134 and 138, respectively, receives a support plate 202. The support plate 202 has a semi-circular depression 206 near its center, such that the depression is generally concentric about the axis of the pin hole 190. The plate threaded 198 and support plate 202 are each received closely within one of depressions 194 and fixedly attached thereto. The support plate 202 is positioned such that the semi-circular shaped depression 206 faces outwardly from the flat surface 142. For the purposes of this description, the first conductor grip plate 134 is shown with the screw plate 198 and the second conductor grip plate includes the support plate 202. After the grip plates 134 and 138 have been slidably received within the passage 98, a connector pin 210 having a threaded end 214 is inserted in the bolt hole 186 of the body. By passing the threaded end 214 further through the bolt hole 186, it enters the end of the gripping surface of the bolt hole 190 of the first gripping plate 134. By going further into the hole 190, the threaded end 214 links the threaded plate 198 and is then rotated until the threaded end 214 passes through the threaded plate 198 and links the support plate 202. At this point, the grip plates 134 and 138 are in a first position, illustrated in Figure 8, with respect to the passage 98. The threaded end 214 is somewhat rounded such that the semi-circular depression 206 acts as a bearing surface for the threaded end 214 of the bolt 210, when turned. By additionally rotating the bolt in the clockwise direction, the first conductor grip plate 134 is pushed away from the second conductor grip plate 138 to a second position, illustrated in FIG. 9, with respect to the passage 98. Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, the first and second conductor grip plates 134 and 138, respectively, are selectively movable between the first position, shown in FIG. 8, where the generally planar surfaces 142 are in close proximity to each other. yes, and the second position, shown in Figure 9, where its generally planar surfaces 142 are separated from each other. Movement between the first and second positions is achieved by turning the connector pin 210 clockwise or in the opposite direction. Referring now to Figure 8, in the first position, the flat surfaces 142 of the first and second conductor grip plates 134 and 138, respectively, are in close proximity to each other, the opening of the cavity increasing the distance between them. channels 110 and their associated slots 158 and electrical connectors 172. Referring again to FIG. 1, with the driver grip plates 134 and 138 in the first position, as described above, the contact surfaces 54 of the conductors 42 extending outwardly from the second end 38 of the first section 14 can easily be inserted into the cavities 184 at the first end 90 of the connector device 22. At the same time, the contact surfaces 82 of the conductors 66 extending outward from the first end 58 of the second section 18 can be inserted into the cavities 184 at the second end 94 of the connector device 22. After the Contact surfaces 54 and 82 have been inserted into the cavities 184 of the connector device 22, as described above, the connector pin 210 can be turned clockwise, thereby moving the grip plates 134 and 138 toward the second position shown in Figure 9. In the second position, the cavities 184 are closed, grasping the contact surfaces 54 and 82 between the channels 110 and their associated slots 158 and the electrical connectors 174. In this manner, an electrical conductor 42 of the first section 14 and a corresponding electrical conductor 66 of the second section are each inserted into the same cavity 184 where they are electrically connected together. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the electrical connector device 22, as described above, can also be used in an electrical distribution system that employs multiple individually insulated electrical cables housed within a common protective sheath or conduit. In another embodiment, a connector device in accordance with the present invention can include only a conductor grip plate for making the required electrical connection between adjacent sections of an electrical distribution system having a limited number of conductors, for example one or two drivers. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention is not limited in its application to the construction details described hereinabove or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being implemented or carried out in various other ways. In addition, it should be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be construed as limiting.

Claims (40)

1. CLAIMS 1. A connector device for electrically connecting the adjacent, non-insulated ends of electrical conductors, said connector device comprising: a body having a first end, a second end defining a hollow passage for communication between said first and second ends; a grip plate, slidably received within said passage, such that it extends generally between said first and second ends of said passage, said grip plate being selectively movable, along an axis substantially perpendicular to an axis along said passage between a first position with respect to said passage and a second position with respect to said passage; at least one electrical connector, fixedly attached to said grip plate, said connector extending from a further point, close to said first end of said passage to a point closer to said second end of said passage, said connector being sized to receive each one of said adjacent ends of said conductors; at least one selected component of said electrical connector and that part of said body defining said passage being constructed of an electrically conductive material; and means for selectively moving said gripping plate between said first and second positions.
2. 2. The connector device of claim 1, wherein said passage is electrically non-conductive.
3. 3. The connector device of claim 1, wherein said grip plate is electrically non-conductive.
4. 4. The connector device of claim 1, wherein said electrical connector is made of an electrically conductive material. The connector device of claim 1, wherein said means for selectively moving said grip plate further comprises: a portion of said body defining a hole, said hole being generally perpendicular to the axis of said passage and passing through said body by from a midpoint between said first and second ends; a portion of said grip plate defining a hole, said hole passing through said grip plate / _ such that said hole in said body and said hole in said grip plate are in alignment when said grip plate is placed within said passage; a threaded plate, centered around said hole in said gripping plate and fixedly attached thereto; and a connector pin having a threaded end, said threaded end passing through said hole in said body and entering said hole in said grip plate such that it is threadedly engaged by said threaded plate, thereby placing said grip plate in said first position with respect to said passage, the additional rotation of said pin in the direction in the clockwise direction moving said grip plate from said first position with respect to said passage to said second position with respect to said passage. The connector device of claim 5, wherein in said first position, said grip plate is spaced from said passage, thereby allowing the insertion of said adjacent ends, not insulated from the electrical conductors, to the first and second ends of said connector. said passage. The connector device of claim 6, wherein in said second position, said grip plate is in close proximity to said passage, thereby grasping the adjacent, non-insulated ends, inserts of the electrical conductors between said passage and said electrical connectors. , such that a conductor inserted in said first end of said passage and a conductor inserted in said second end of said passage, each one gripped against a common electrical connector, is electrically connected in a joint manner. 8. A connector device for electrically connecting the uninsulated, adjacent ends of electrical conductors, said connector device comprising: a body having a first end, a second end and defining a hollow passage to communicate between said first and second ends, said passage being electrically non-conductive; a grip plate, slidably received within said passage and generally extending between said first and second ends of said passage, said grip plate being electrically non-conductive and selectively movable along an axis substantially perpendicular to an axis along said passage between a first position with respect to said passage and a second position with respect to said passage; at least one electrical connector, fixedly attached to said grip plate and extending from a point closer to said first end of said passage to a point closer to said second end of said passage, said connector made of an electrically conductive and dimensioned material to receive said adjacent ends of said conductors; and means for selectively moving said gripping plate between said first and second positions. The connector device of claim 8, wherein said means for selectively moving said grip plate further comprises: a portion of said body defining a hole, said hole being generally perpendicular to the axis of said passage and passing through said body near a midpoint between said first and second ends; a portion of said gripping plate defining a hole, said hole passing through said gripping plate ~ such that said hole in said body and said hole in said gripping plate are in alignment when said gripping plate is placed inside of said gripping plate. said passage; a threaded plate, centered around said hole in said gripping plate and fixedly attached thereto; and a connector pin having a threaded end, said threaded end passing through said hole in said body and entering said hole in said grip plate such that it is threadably linked by said threaded plate, thereby placing said grip plate in said first position with respect to said passage, the additional rotation of said pin in the clockwise direction moving said grip plate from said first position with respect to said passage to said second position with respect to said passage. The connector device of claim 9, wherein said grip plate, in said first position, is spaced from said passage, thereby allowing the insertion of adjacent ends of the electrical conductors toward said first and second ends of said passage. The connector device of claim 10, wherein said grip plate, in said second position, is in close proximity to said passage, thereby grasping the adjacent ends of the electrical conductors inserts between said passage and said electrical connectors such that an conductor inserted in said first end of said passage and a conductor inserted in said second end of said passage, each one gripped against a common electrical connector, are electrically connected together. 12. An electrical connector device for electrically connecting a plurality of electric conductors of a first section of a multi-phase electric distribution system to a plurality of corresponding electric conductors of a second adjacent section of the multi-phase electric distribution system, said electrical connector device comprising: a body having a first end and a second end, said body defining a passage for communicating between said first and second ends, said passage further defining a plurality of generally parallel channels, each of said channels extending between said first and second ends of said body; a pair of conductor grip plates, each having a first end, a second end, a generally flat surface and a grip surface, said grip surface further defining two parallel, spaced slots, said slots extending between said first and second ends. second, said grip plates being slidably received within said passage; a plurality of electrical connectors, each fixedly fixed within one of said grooves of said conductor grip plates; and means for selectively moving said driver grip plates between a first position and a second position. The electrical connector device of claim 12, wherein said passage is electrically non-conductive. The electrical connector device of claim 12, wherein said channels have a generally semi-circular cross section. 1
5. 5. The electrical connector device of claim 12, wherein said conductor grip plates are electrically non-conductive. 1
6. 6. The electrical connector device of claim 12, wherein said grooves have a generally semi-circular cross section. The electrical connector device of claim 12, wherein said electrical connectors have a generally C-shaped cross section and are made of an electrically conductive material. The connector device of claim 12, wherein said means for selectively moving said grip plate further comprises: a portion of said body defining a hole generally perpendicular to the axis of said passage and passing through said body at a near point at a midpoint between said first and second ends; a portion of each of said grip plates defining a hole for communicating between said grip surface and said flat surface, said hole in said body and said hole in said grip plate being in alignment after installing said grip plate in said grip passage; a threaded plate, centered in said hole of one of said grip plates and fixedly attached to said flat surface of said grip plate; a support plate, centered in said hole of the other of said grip plates and fixedly attached to said flat surface of that grip plate; and a connector bolt having a threaded end, said threaded end passing through said hole in said body and entering said hole in said gripping surface of the first said gripping plates having said threaded plate, said bolt end said threaded plate being screwed threadably and passing therethrough so as to link said support plate of the other grip plate, whereby said grip plates are in said first position, and thereby the additional rotation of said bolt in a Pre-selected direction effects the movement of said grip plates from said first position to said second position. 19. The connector device of claim 18, wherein in said first position said gripping plates are in close proximity to each other and said slots and their associated electrical connectors are spaced from said channels in said passage, thereby allowing the insertion of adjacent ends. of the electrical conductors at said first and second ends of said passage. The connector device of claim 19, wherein in said second position said gripping plates are spaced from each other such that said slots and their associated electrical connectors are in close proximity to said channels in said passage, thereby gripping the adjacent ends of the inserts. of the electrical conductors between said channels and said electrical connectors such that a conductor inserted in said first end of said passage and a conductor inserted in said second end of said passage, each gripped against a common electrical connector, are electrically connected in a joint manner . 21. An electrical connector device for electrically connecting a plurality of electrical conductors of a first section of a multi-phase electrical distribution system to a plurality of corresponding electrical conductors of a second adjacent section of the multi-phase electrical distribution system, said device electrical connector comprising: a body having a first end and a second end, said body defining a passage to communicate between said first and second ends, said passage further defining a plurality of generally parallel channels, each of said channels extending between said ends first and second of said body; a pair of conductor grip plates, each having a first end, a second end, a generally flat surface and a grip surface, said grip surface further defining two parallel, spaced slots, said slots extending between said first and second ends. second, said grip plates slidably received within said passage so that said flat surfaces of each grip plate are in juxtaposition relation with each other; a plurality of electrical connectors, each fixedly fixed within one of said grooves of said conductor grip plates; a plurality of conductor receiving cavities, each formed by one of said channels of said passage and a corresponding slot of said slots of one of said grip plates, each of said cavities being partially defined by one of said electrical connectors; means for selectively moving said conductor grip plates between a first position where said cavities are substantially open and a second position where said cavities are substantially closed; and means for interlocking said grip plates within said passage such that the movement of said grip plates with respect to said passage is limited. 22. The connector device of claim 21, wherein said passage is electrically non-conductive. 23. The connector device of claim 21, wherein said channels are generally semi-circular in cross section. 24. The connector device of claim 21, wherein said grip plates are electrically non-conductive. 25. The connector device of claim 21, wherein said slots are generally semi-circular in cross section. 26. The connector device of claim 21, wherein said electrical connectors are made of an electrically conductive material. 2
7. 7. The connector device of claim 26, wherein said electrical connectors have a generally C-shaped cross section. The connector device of claim 27, wherein each of said electrical connectors has two parallel longitudinal edges. 29. The connector device of claim 28, wherein said two parallel longitudinal edges of each of said electrical connectors includes equally spaced notches to provide a spring effect between said two parallel edges of each of said electrical connectors. 30. The connector device of claim 21, wherein said means for enclosing further comprises: a portion of said passage defining a slot having a generally U-shaped cross section and being open to the center of said passage, said slot having a inner width pre-determined and running longitudinally from said first end of said body to said second end of said body; and a T-shaped retainer, integrally formed of a portion of said passage, centered in and extending outward toward said slot, said T-shaped retainer running longitudinally between said first and second ends of said body; and an upper portion of said T-shaped retainer having a pre-selected width such that said upper portion closes the open end of said slot, leaving a narrow passage on each side of said upper portion. The connector device of claim 30, wherein said means for enclosing further comprises: a portion of said grip plate defining a retaining groove, generally U-shaped in cross section with an open end and having an outer width pre -selected and a pre-selected inner width; and a pair of legs extending inward at their open end, said legs reducing said pre-selected inner width of said slot near said open end. 32. The connector device of claim 31, wherein said pre-selected outer width of said retaining groove is less than said pre-selected inner width of said groove in said passage and wherein said preselected inner width of said retaining groove is greater than said pre-selected width of said portion. top of said T-shaped retainer 33. The connector device of claim 32, wherein said retaining groove of said grip plate is slidably received within said slot of said passage such that said legs extending inwardly. and said upper portion of said T-shaped retainer interlocks with each other, thereby limiting the movement of said grip plate with respect to said passage. The connector device of claim 21, wherein said means for selectively moving further comprises: a portion of said body defining a hole, said hole passing through said body such that it is generally perpendicular to the axis of said passage and located near of a midpoint between said first and second ends. 35. The connector device of claim 34, wherein said means for selectively moving further comprises: a portion of each of said grip plates defining a hole, said hole being generally perpendicular to said flat surface and communicating between said grip surface and said flat surface at a point near a mid point between said first and second ends, said hole in said body and said holes in said grip plates being in alignment after installing said grip plates in said passage. 36. The connector device of claim 35, wherein said means for selectively moving further comprises: a threaded plate, said plate being centered around said hole in one of said grip plates and being fixedly attached to its said flat surface. 37. The connector device of claim 36, wherein said means for selectively moving further comprises: a support plate, said support plate being centered around said hole in the other of said grip plates and fixedly attached to said flat surface of said plate. the same. 3
8. 8. The connector device of claim 37, wherein said means for selectively moving further comprises: a connector pin having a threaded end, said threaded end passing through said hole in said body and entering said hole in said engaging surface of said gripping plate having said threaded plate, said bolt end threadably connecting said threaded plate and passing therethrough so as to link said support plate of said other gripping plate, whereby said gripping plates are in said first position, and whereby the additional rotation of said pin in a pre-selected direction effects the movement of said grip plates from said first position to said second position. 3
9. 9. The connector device of claim 21, wherein in said first position said gripping plates are in close proximity to each other such that said grooves and their fixedly attached electrical connectors are spaced from said associated channels in said passage, thereby allowing the insertion of adjacent non-insulated ends of the electrical conductors of the first and second sections of said multi-phase electrical distribution system in said cavities through said first and second ends of said passage. 40. The connector device of claim 39, wherein in said second position said gripping plates are spaced from each other such that said grooves and their fixedly attached electrical connectors are in close proximity to said associated channels in said passage, thereby gripping the ends not isolated, adjacent, inserts of the electrical conductors of the first and second sections between said channels and said electrical connectors in such a way that a conductor of the first section inserted in one of said cavities in said first end of said passage and a conductor of the second section inserted therein of said cavities in said second end of said passage are electrically connected together.