US20230283004A1 - Quick install banana plug - Google Patents
Quick install banana plug Download PDFInfo
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- US20230283004A1 US20230283004A1 US17/935,359 US202217935359A US2023283004A1 US 20230283004 A1 US20230283004 A1 US 20230283004A1 US 202217935359 A US202217935359 A US 202217935359A US 2023283004 A1 US2023283004 A1 US 2023283004A1
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- spring
- wire
- lever
- busbar
- arm
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Images
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
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- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/02—Contact members
- H01R13/22—Contacts for co-operating by abutting
- H01R13/24—Contacts for co-operating by abutting resilient; resiliently-mounted
- H01R13/2457—Contacts for co-operating by abutting resilient; resiliently-mounted consisting of at least two resilient arms contacting the same counterpart
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/02—Contact members
- H01R13/04—Pins or blades for co-operation with sockets
- H01R13/05—Resilient pins or blades
- H01R13/052—Resilient pins or blades co-operating with sockets having a circular transverse section
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/02—Contact members
- H01R13/22—Contacts for co-operating by abutting
- H01R13/24—Contacts for co-operating by abutting resilient; resiliently-mounted
- H01R13/2464—Contacts for co-operating by abutting resilient; resiliently-mounted characterized by the contact point
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- 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
- H01R4/28—Clamped connections, spring connections
- H01R4/48—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member
- H01R4/4809—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member using a leaf spring to bias the conductor toward the busbar
- H01R4/4828—Spring-activating arrangements mounted on or integrally formed with the spring housing
- H01R4/483—Pivoting arrangements, e.g. lever pushing on the spring
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- 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
- H01R4/28—Clamped connections, spring connections
- H01R4/48—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member
- H01R4/4809—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member using a leaf spring to bias the conductor toward the busbar
- H01R4/4828—Spring-activating arrangements mounted on or integrally formed with the spring housing
- H01R4/4835—Mechanically bistable arrangements, e.g. locked by the housing when the spring is biased
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/02—Contact members
- H01R13/15—Pins, blades or sockets having separate spring member for producing or increasing contact pressure
- H01R13/17—Pins, blades or sockets having separate spring member for producing or increasing contact pressure with spring member on the pin
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R2101/00—One pole
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R2201/00—Connectors or connections adapted for particular applications
- H01R2201/16—Connectors or connections adapted for particular applications for telephony
Definitions
- Banana plugs are often used for hooking up AV systems.
- banana plugs generally require a user to unscrew a housing, insert the wire, tighten a set screw to secure the wire, and then screw back on the housing.
- this process is time consuming and difficult, especially for a DIYer.
- the banana plug includes a body configured to retain and secure a wire.
- the body further includes a lever configured to actuate an internal spring.
- the spring is made from aluminum.
- the spring is made from stainless steel.
- the lever generally moves the spring from a first or open position configured to receive a wire to a second or closed position configured to retain the wire.
- the spring includes an aperture configured to receive the wire when the lever is in the open position.
- the aperture is further configured to surround and retain the wire when the lever is in the closed position.
- the spring aperture is sized to receive wires ranging in size from 12-24 American wire gauge (AWG).
- AMG American wire gauge
- the lever is perpendicular to the body of the banana plug in the open position and is parallel to the body of the banana plug in the closed position.
- the lever applies a compression force to the spring.
- the compression force moves the spring aperture vertically (e.g., downward).
- the spring aperture is exposed and able to receive the wire.
- the lever is not in contact with the spring.
- the banana plug further includes a busbar configured to transfer electricity through the plug.
- the wire transfers electricity into the plug, along the busbar, and into a device.
- the busbar is made from highly conductive material, such as copper.
- the busbar is gold plated.
- the busbar extends through the aperture of the spring.
- the busbar and the spring aperture are configured to form a sandwich arrangement with the wire. As should be appreciated, this arrangement clamps the wire between the spring and the busbar in a secure connection.
- a user begins by rotating the lever into the open position. As mentioned above, the lever applies force to the spring in the open position, thus exposing the spring aperture. The user then inserts the wire into the spring aperture via a wire opening in the body. Once the wire is within the spring aperture, the user rotates the lever into the closed position. As mention above, the lever does not apply force to the spring in the closed position, thus the spring aperture moves vertically upward, sandwiching the wire between the spring aperture and the busbar. As should be appreciated, once the wire is in contact with the busbar, the electrical connection is complete. For example, the banana plug may then be plugged in for use. To remove the banana plug from the wire, the user rotates the lever into the open position and pulls the wire out of the spring aperture.
- Aspect 1 generally concerns a system that includes a banana plug connector.
- Aspect 2 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the banana plug connector facilitates toolless connection of a wire.
- Aspect 3 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the banana plug includes a lever configured to actuate an internal spring.
- Aspect 4 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the lever actuates the spring from a first position configured to receive a wire to a second position configured to retain the wire.
- Aspect 5 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the spring includes an aperture configured to receive the wire in the first position.
- Aspect 6 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the aperture is configured to surround and retain the wire in the second position.
- Aspect 7 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the spring aperture is configured to direct the wire vertically upward into contact with a busbar when in the second position.
- Aspect 8 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the wire is contacted on one side via the busbar in the second position.
- Aspect 9 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the wire is contacted on an opposite side via an edge of the spring aperture in the second position.
- Aspect 10 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the lever applies a compression force to the spring in the first position.
- Aspect 11 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the compression force is configured to compress the spring to allow access to the spring aperture in the first position.
- Aspect 12 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the banana plug includes a body portion defining an integral channel.
- Aspect 13 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the lever is configured to rest within the integral channel when in the second position to prevent accidental rotation of the lever.
- Aspect 14 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the spring includes an aperture configured to retain the wire within the banana plug connector.
- Aspect 15 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the aperture includes an edge configured to direct the wire vertically upward into contact with a busbar in a sandwich arrangement.
- Aspect 16 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the sandwich arrangement is configured to retain the wire within the banana plug connector.
- Aspect 17 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the banana plug includes a busbar configured to transfer electricity through the plug.
- Aspect 18 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the busbar extends through the aperture of the spring.
- Aspect 19 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the busbar and spring aperture are configured to form a sandwich arrangement with the wire when in the second position.
- Aspect 20 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the sandwich arrangement is configured to securely retain the wire in the second position.
- Aspect 21 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the banana plug accepts 12-24 American wire gauges (AWG) wire.
- AMG American wire gauges
- Aspect 22 generally concerns a method of using or manufacturing the system of any previous aspect.
- FIG. 1 is a side view of a banana plug including a wire according to one example.
- FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the wire being inserted into the banana plug of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the banana plug of FIG. 1 with the wire connected to the banana plug.
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a banana plug according to another example.
- FIG. 5 is a side view of the banana plug of FIG. 4 with a lever in a closed position.
- FIG. 6 is a side view of the banana plug of FIG. 4 with the lever in an open position.
- FIG. 7 is a top view of the banana plug of FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 8 is an enlarged end view of the banana plug of FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the banana plug of FIG. 4 with the lever in the closed position.
- FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the banana plug of FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the banana plug of FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the banana plug of FIG. 4 with the lever in the open position.
- FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a portion of the banana plug of FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 14 is a top view of a binding post system.
- FIG. 15 is a rear perspective view of the binding post system of FIG. 14 .
- FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of the binding post system of FIG. 14 .
- FIG. 1 shows a side view of a banana plug 100 according to one example.
- the banana plug 100 can be used to make electrical connections for a wide variety of electrical equipment such as AV equipment.
- the banana plug 100 includes a body 105 with a lever 110 configured to enable manual connection and disconnection of a wire without the use of tools.
- the body 105 in one version is made from electrically insulative material, such as plastic or other polymeric material.
- the body 105 is made from an electrically conductive material, such as a metallic material, to promote grounding. When made of conductive material, insulating material is positioned to electrically isolate the body 105 from other electrically conductive material of the banana plug 100 .
- the body 105 has an elongated cylindrical shape to conserve space.
- the body 105 in other examples can be shaped differently. For instance, the body 105 can have rectangular and/or polygonal shape.
- the lever 110 extends from the body 105 and is configured to alternate between one or more positions. In one position, the lever 110 is configured to receive a wire 120 . In another position, the lever 110 is configured to secure the wire 120 within the body 105 . To facilitate connection between the banana plug 100 and the wire 120 , the wire 120 is inserted into a female portion 124 of the body 105 located on a first end 122 of the body 105 . In one example, the female portion 124 is sized to receive wire 120 from 0-40 American Wire Gauge (AWG). In another example, the female portion 124 is sized to receive wire 120 from 12-24 AWG.
- AWG American Wire Gauge
- the male portion 130 Located on a second end 125 of the body 105 is a male portion 130 .
- the male portion 130 includes a pin 135 with one or more leaves 140 .
- the male portion 130 is configured to plug into a receptacle in order to transfer electricity from the wire 120 into the receptacle.
- the leaves 140 are configured to secure the male portion 130 within the receptacle via a biasing force.
- the leaves 140 act as leaf springs and/or another form of spring.
- the male portion 130 does not include any leaves 140 , instead an interior portion of the receptacle includes one or more leaves.
- the male portion 130 , pin 135 , and the leaves 140 are made from an electrically conductive material. In one example, the male portion 130 , pin 135 .
- the male portion 130 , pin 135 , and leaves 140 are made from copper.
- the male portion 130 , pin 135 , and leaves 140 are gold plated.
- the male portion 130 , pin 135 , and leaves 140 are made from another electrically conductive material.
- the male portion 130 is removable and/or replaceable within the body 105 of the banana plug 100 .
- FIG. 2 shows an example of insertion of the wire 120 into the banana plug 100 via the female portion 124 .
- the wire 120 is first inserted into the female portion 124 of the body 105 .
- the wire 120 includes an uninsulated portion 210 and an insulated portion 215 .
- the uninsulated portion 210 is inserted into the female portion 124 of the banana plug 100 to facilitate a strong electrical connection between the wire 120 and the banana plug 100 .
- the insulated portion 215 is configured to protect the wire 120 and prevent electrical short circuits and/or unwanted electrical contact.
- FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the banana plug 100 showing internal components of the body 105 .
- the body 105 contains a busbar 305 and a spring 310 .
- the busbar 305 is configured to enable the flow of electricity from the uninsulated portion 210 of the wire 120 into the male portion 130 via the busbar 305 .
- the spring 310 is configured to secure the wire 120 within the body 105 via a compression force applied to the wire 120 .
- the spring 310 is configured to compress the uninsulated portion 210 of the wire 120 between the busbar 305 and the spring 310 . Actuation of the spring 310 is accomplished via the lever 110 .
- a small amount of the insulated portion 215 is inserted into the female portion 124 to prevent unwanted exterior contact with the uninsulated portion 210 .
- the uninsulated portion 210 is electrically conductive and the insulated portion 215 is not electrically conductive.
- the uninsulated portion 210 is configured to transfer electricity from the wire 120 into the busbar 305 and through the male portion 130 into the receptacle.
- FIG. 4 depicts a banana plug 400 according to another example.
- the banana plug 400 has the lever 110 that is pivotally coupled to a body 405 .
- the banana plug 400 is shown with the lever 110 in a second or a closed position 410 .
- the closed position 410 is configured to secure and/or lock the wire 120 within the body 405 of the banana plug 400 .
- a compression force is generated via the spring 310 on the wire 120 .
- the male portion 130 includes a detent 505 located at an end of the male portion 130 .
- the detent 505 is configured to provide additional security to hold the banana plug 400 within the receptacle.
- the detent 505 is configured to mate with a corresponding opening within the receptacle to further secure the male portion 130 within the receptacle.
- the banana plug 400 does not have the detent 505 .
- the banana plug 400 is shown with the lever 110 in a first or an open position 605 .
- the banana plug 400 is configured to enable insertion of the wire 120 into the body 405 .
- the closed position 410 described previously, the wire 120 is prevented from fully entering the body 405 .
- the open position 605 the wire 120 is able to fully enter the body 405 .
- the banana plug 400 facilitates a manual or toolless connection to the wire 120 .
- the toolless connection allows for time and cost savings. Additionally, the toolless connection facilitates easy replacement of the wire 120 and/or the banana plug 400 in the event of a failure.
- FIGS. 7 and 8 show alternate views of the banana plug 400 with the lever 110 in the closed position 410 .
- the body 405 includes a channel 705 .
- the channel 705 is configured to retain the lever 110 when in the closed position 410 .
- the channel 705 is configured to prevent accidental actuation of the lever 110 . As should be appreciated, preventing accidental actuation of the lever 110 extends the life of the banana plug 400 .
- FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the banana plug 400 with the lever 110 in the closed position 410 .
- the spring 310 is in a resting position 905 when the lever 110 is in the closed position 410 . In the resting position 905 , there is no external force applied to the spring 310 .
- the spring 310 includes a base 907 configured to surround a portion of the busbar 305 .
- the base 907 curves into a fulcrum 910 configured to act as a pivot point for an arm 915 of the spring 310 .
- the arm 915 includes a bend 920 extending into a leg 925 . In one example, the bend 920 defines an angle of 15-180 degrees.
- FIG. 10 Shown in FIG. 10 is another view of the cross-section of the banana plug 400 .
- the spring 310 defines an aperture 1005 through which the busbar 305 extends.
- the aperture 1005 is defined on all sides by the leg 925 of the spring 310 , such that the aperture 1005 forms a window.
- the aperture 1005 is configured to receive the wire 120 when the lever 110 is in the open position 605 .
- the aperture 1005 defines a gap 1010 between the busbar 305 and an edge of the spring 310 .
- the gap 1010 is configured to expand and/or contract based on the position of the lever 110 .
- the gap 1010 is configured to expand in order to receive the wire 120 when the lever 110 is in the open position 605 .
- the gap 1010 is configured to contract in order to clamp the wire 120 between the busbar 305 and the spring 310 when the lever 110 is in the closed position 410 .
- FIG. 11 shows another view of the banana plug 400 .
- the gap 1010 is formed within the aperture 1005 of the spring 310 between an edge 1105 of the spring 310 and the busbar 305 .
- the wire 120 is compressed via the edge 1105 against the busbar 305 when the lever 110 is in the closed position 410 to form a solid connection between the banana plug 400 and the wire 120 .
- the wire 120 is configured to maintain contact with the busbar 305 via the upward pressure of the edge 1105 to prevent short circuiting of the electrical connections.
- electricity is able to flow through the banana plug 400 without interference.
- the edge 1105 is configured to contact one side of the wire 120 while the busbar 305 is configured to contact an opposing side of the wire 120 to form a sandwich arrangement.
- FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view of the banana plug 400 with the lever 110 in the open position 605 .
- the spring 310 is in a compressed position 1205 when the lever 110 is in the open position 605 .
- a lobe 1212 of the lever 110 is configured to engage with the arm 915 of the spring 310 to apply a compression force to the spring 310 .
- the force pivots the arm 915 about the fulcrum 910 .
- the leg 925 of the spring 310 moves downward, in the ⁇ Y direction as shown by reference axis 1210 .
- the leg 925 further includes a tongue 1215 at one end.
- the gap 1010 is adjusted based on the size of the wire 120 .
- the gap 1010 is adjusted to receive 12-24 AWG wire.
- the lobe 1212 loses contact with the arm 915 of the spring 310 as the force on the spring 310 is removed.
- the arm 915 begins to pivot upward about the fulcrum 910 , in the +Y direction.
- the leg 925 and the tongue 1215 move upward, in the +Y axis as shown by the reference axis 1210 .
- the edge 1105 contacts an underside of the wire 120 and pushes the wire 120 in the +Y axis until the wire 120 contacts the busbar 305 .
- the edge 1105 of the spring 310 then applies a constant compression and/or biasing force to the wire 120 via sandwiching the wire 120 between the edge 1105 and the busbar 305 .
- the biasing force is configured to retain the wire 120 within the banana plug 400 .
- the user moves the lever 110 from the closed position 410 to the open position 605 , such that the gap 1010 is expanded and the edge 1105 loses contact with the wire 120 .
- the user then pulls the wire 120 out of the female portion 124 of the banana plug 400 .
- FIG. 13 shows the male portion 130 integrally connected to the busbar 305 and spring 310 .
- the busbar 305 and the spring 310 are connected to the male portion 130 via a flange 1310 .
- the busbar 305 is connected to the male portion 130 via the flange 1310 and the spring 310 is an integral component of the male portion 130 .
- the busbar 305 further includes a guide 1305 .
- the guide 1305 is configured to extend through the aperture 1005 of the spring 310 .
- the guide 1305 is configured to guide the wire 120 into the aperture 1005 of the spring 310 .
- the busbar 305 extends through the aperture 1005 to enable contact between the busbar 305 and the wire 120 during use.
- the busbar 305 is an integral component of the spring 310 , such that the busbar 305 and the spring 310 are fixed together in a unitary component.
- the busbar 305 is configured to rest within and/or partially within the base 907 of the spring 310 .
- the busbar 305 is made from a conductive material while the spring 310 is made from a nonconductive material.
- both the busbar 305 and spring 310 are made from an electrically conductive material.
- FIG. 14 shows an example of a binding post system 1400 .
- the binding post system 1400 is configured to enable a user to connect electrical components, such as wires, banana plugs, spade connectors, and/or other electrical connectors.
- the binding post system 1400 is configured for use with an outlet cover 1405 and an outlet 1410 .
- the binding post system 1400 includes one or more binding posts 1415 , which are integral to the outlet 1410 .
- the outlet 1410 includes a series of binding posts 1415 , such as two (2), four (4), six (6), eight (8), and/or other numbers of binding posts 1415 .
- the binding post 1415 includes a body 1417 with a first end 1420 and a second end 1425 .
- the first end 1420 includes a lever 1430 to facilitate a toolless connection between the first end 1420 of the binding post 1415 and a wire 1435 .
- the lever 1430 of the binding post 1415 is configured to operate similarly to the lever 110 of the banana plug 100 described previously.
- the lever 1430 is configured to actuate from an open position configured to receive the wire 1435 to a closed position configured to retain the wire 1435 .
- the second end 1425 is configured to receive the banana plug 400 via a plug-in style connection.
- the second end 1425 is configured to receive wire directly, without the banana plug 400 .
- the binding post system 1400 facilitates the flow of electricity from the wire 120 to the wire 1435 via the banana plug 400 and the binding post 1415 .
- FIG. 15 shows another example of the binding post system 1400 .
- the first end 1420 of the binding post 1415 is shown to include a female portion 1505 .
- the female portion 1505 is configured to receive wire, banana plugs, and/or other electrical connectors to facilitate a toolless connection between the binding post system 1400 and the electrical connector.
- a user inserts a wire and/or banana plug into the female portion 1505 of the binding post 1415 and then actuates the lever 1430 to secure the wire and/or banana plug within the female portion 1505 .
- the lever 1430 is designed to function in a similar manner to the lever 110 of the banana plug 100 .
- the female portion 1505 is configured to accept wire from 12-24 AWG.
- FIG. 16 shows yet another view of the binding post system 1400 .
- the second end 1425 of the binding post 1415 is shown to include a female portion 1605 .
- the female portion 1605 is configured to receive wire, banana plugs, spade connectors, and/or other electrical connectors.
- the second end 1425 of the binding post 1415 does not include a lever 1430 , such that the second end 1425 of the binding post 1415 functions differently than the first end 1420 of the binding post 1415 .
- both the first end 1420 and the second end 1425 of the binding post 1415 include separate levers 1430 configured to enable toolless connection of one or more electrical connectors.
- the female portion 1605 is configured to accept wire from 12-24 AWG.
- Adhesive generally refers to any non-metallic substance applied to one or both surfaces of two separate parts that binds them together and resists their separation.
- an adhesive can bond both mating surfaces through specific adhesion (e.g., molecular attraction), through mechanical anchoring (e.g., by flowing into holes in porous surfaces), and/or through fusion (e.g., partial solution of both surfaces in the adhesive or its solvent vehicle).
- adhesives include liquid adhesives, film adhesives, resin adhesives, rubber adhesives, silicone-based adhesives, mastics, metal-to-metal adhesives, plastic adhesives, rubber adhesives, sprayable adhesives, and hot melt adhesives, to name just a few.
- AWG American Wire Gauge
- “Banana Plug” or “Banana Connector” generally refers to an electrical connector including a body and a cylindrical metal pin with one or more springs and/or leaves oriented lengthwise along the pin. The leaves are biased to bulge and/or bow outwards from the pin. The leaves are configured to apply pressure to an interior of a socket and/or receptacle when the banana plug is inserted. Pressure from the leaves improves the electrical connection between the plug and socket.
- the pin does not include any leaves, but instead the receptacle and/or socket includes leaves configured to engage the pin.
- the banana plug Opposite the pin, the banana plug includes an aperture configured to receive a wire and/or another banana plug pin in a “stackable plug” configuration.
- the banana plug includes insulated sheathing configured to surround the pin.
- the sheathing is configured to prevent accidental electrocution and/or shock.
- the banana plug is configured for use with a five-way and/or universal binding post.
- Other examples of banana plugs include: PL-259 plugs, miniature banana connectors, pin tip jacks, wander plugs, and/or other similar type electrical connectors.
- Cantilever Spring generally refers to a spring fixed only at one end.
- the cantilever spring is in the form of a flat spring that is anchored at one and the other end extends freely away from the anchored end.
- Cross generally refers to a long, narrow groove in a surface of an object.
- Conductor or “Conductive Material” generally refers to a material and/or object that allows the free flow of an electrical charge in one or more directions such that relatively significant electric currents will flow through the material under the influence of an electric field under normal operating conditions.
- conductors include materials having low resistivity, such as most metals (e.g., copper, gold, aluminum, etc.), graphite, and conductive polymers.
- Contact generally refers to a condition and/or state where at least two objects are physically touching. For example, contact requires at least one location where objects are directly or indirectly touching, with or without any other member(s) material in between.
- Detent or “Detent Mechanism” generally refers to a device configured to position and hold one mechanical part in relation to another in a manner such that the device can be released by force applied to one of the parts.
- detents include a catch, dog, or spring-operated ball.
- Electrode Connection generally refers a connection between two objects that allows a flow of electric current and/or electric signals.
- “Fastener” generally refers to a hardware device that mechanically joins or otherwise affixes two or more objects together.
- the fastener can include bolts, dowels, nails, nuts, pegs, pins, rivets, screws, buttons, hook and loop fasteners, and snap fasteners, to just name a few.
- “Female” generally refers to a structure that connects to another structure that includes hollow portions for receiving portions of a corresponding male connector.
- “Gauge” generally refers to the standard American Wire Gauge (“AWG”) cross-sectional size or its cross-sectional area equivalent.
- AWG American Wire Gauge
- 14 gauge, or AWG 14 corresponds to a circle having a diameter of 1.63 millimeters.
- 15 gauge, or AWG 15 corresponds to a circle having a diameter of 1.45 millimeters.
- Hole generally refers to a hollow portion through a solid body, wall or a surface.
- a hole may be any shape.
- a hole may be, but is not limited to, circular, triangular, or rectangular.
- a hole may also have varying depths and may extend entirely through the solid body or surface or may extend through only one side of the solid body.
- Insulator or “Insulative Material” generally refers to a material and/or object whose internal electric charges do not flow freely such that very little electric current will flow through the material under the influence of an electric field under normal operating conditions.
- insulator materials include materials having high resistivity, such as glass, paper, ceramics, rubber, and plastics.
- Leaf Spring generally refers to a type of spring made from one or more strips of elastic material. In one form, multiple strips of elastic material are laminated together to form the leaf spring, and in other forms, a single strip of elastic material, such metal and/or plastic, forms the leaf spring.
- the leaf springs can be curved or substantially straight.
- the leaf spring can further include a frame to which the ends of the strips are attached.
- “Lever” generally refers to a simple machine including a beam, rod, or other structure pivoted at a fulcrum, such as a hinge.
- the lever is a rigid body capable of rotating on a point on itself.
- Levers can be generally categorized into three types of classes based on the location of fulcrum, load, and/or effort.
- the fulcrum is located in the middle such that the effort is applied on one side of the fulcrum and the resistance or load on the other side.
- the mechanical advantage may be greater than, less than, or equal to 1.
- Some non-limiting examples of class 1 type levers include seesaws, crowbars, and a pair of scissors.
- a class 2 type of lever which is sometimes referred to as a force multiplier lever
- the resistance or load is located generally near the middle of the lever such that the effort is applied on one side of the resistance and the fulcrum is located on the other side.
- the load arm is smaller than the effort arm, and the mechanical advantage is typically greater than 1.
- Some non-limiting examples of class 2 type levers include wheelbarrows, nutcrackers, bottle openers, and automobile brake pedals.
- a class 3 type lever which is sometimes referred to as a speed multiplier lever
- the effort is generally located near the middle of the lever such that the resistance or load is on one side of the effort and the fulcrum is located on the other side.
- the effort arm is smaller than the load arm, and the mechanical advantage is typically less than 1.
- Some non-limiting examples of class 3 type levers include a pair of tweezers and the human mandible.
- “Male” generally refers to a structure that connects to another structure that includes portions that fill or fit inside the hollow portion of a corresponding female connector.
- “Manual” generally refers work done by human hand and not via machine, tool, and/or electronics.
- Metallic generally refers to a material that includes a metal, or is predominately (50% or more by weight) a metal.
- a metallic substance may be a single pure metal, an alloy of two or more metals, or any other suitable combination of metals.
- the term may be used to refer to materials that include nonmetallic substances.
- a metallic cable may include one or more strands of wire that are predominately copper sheathed in a polymer or other nonconductive material.
- Plastic generally refers to a group of materials, either synthetic, semi-synthetic, and/or naturally occurring, that may be shaped when soft and then hardened to retain the given shape.
- Plastics are polymers.
- a polymer is a substance made of many repeating units.
- Plastics are generally insulators.
- Polymer generally refers to a material characterized by a molecular structure formed from the repetition of subunits bonded together. Examples include, but are not limited to, plastics or rubber.
- “Snap Fastener” generally refers to a fastening device including a male portion and a female portion.
- the male portion typically includes a protrusion or ball on one component, while the female portion typically includes a recess or a socket configured to accept and secure the male portion.
- a snap fastener is mated together by a pushing force and separated by a pulling force.
- Tool generally refers to an activity not having and/or requiring tools in order to perform the activity. Typically, the act can be performed manually be an individual.
- Wire generally refers to elongated electrically conductive metal. This includes an individual strand, multiple strands (twisted, braided and/or not), traces, strips and other cross-sectional geometries.
- wire is uninsulated wire, such as bare wire without a coating and/or plating.
- wire is insulated wire with a coating of non-conductive material surrounding the wire.
- insulated wire is coated with plastic, fluoropolymer, and/or rubber materials.
- directional terms such as “up,” “down,” “top,” “bottom,” “lateral,” “longitudinal,” “radial,” “circumferential,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” etc., are used herein solely for the convenience of the reader in order to aid in the reader's understanding of the illustrated embodiments, and it is not the intent that the use of these directional terms in any manner limit the described, illustrated, and/or claimed features to a specific direction and/or orientation.
- banana plug 105 body 110 lever 120 wire 122 first end 124 female portion 125 second end 130 male portion 135 pin 140 leaves 205 arrow 210 uninsulated portion 215 insulated portion 305 busbar 310 spring 400 banana plug 405 body 410 closed position 505 detent 605 open position 705 channel 905 resting position 907 base 910 fulcrum 915 arm 920 bend 925 leg 1005 aperture 1010 gap 1105 edge 1205 compressed position 1210 reference axis 1212 lobe 1215 tongue 1305 guide 1310 flange 1400 binding post system 1405 outlet cover 1410 outlet 1415 binding post 1417 body 1420 first end 1425 second end 1430 lever 1435 wire 1505 female portion 1605 female portion
Abstract
Description
- This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 63/268,825, filed Mar. 3, 2022, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
- One common issue electricians and do-it-yourselfers (DIYers) often face when working with electrical equipment are loose or faulty electrical connections. For instance, when hooking up audio/video (AV) components, such as stereos, speakers, televisions, and the like, a loose connection can lead to poor or intermittently poor signal quality which in turn results in an overall poor audio and/or video experience. These loose connections can also result in electrical shorts which can be quite dangerous.
- Thus, there is a need for improvement in this field.
- Banana plugs are often used for hooking up AV systems. However, banana plugs generally require a user to unscrew a housing, insert the wire, tighten a set screw to secure the wire, and then screw back on the housing. As should be appreciated, this process is time consuming and difficult, especially for a DIYer. Unfortunately, there is not currently a way to quickly and easily make secure wire connections when a banana plug is used.
- A unique banana plug design has been developed to enable quick and secure electrical connections. The banana plug includes a body configured to retain and secure a wire. The body further includes a lever configured to actuate an internal spring. In one example, the spring is made from aluminum. In another example, the spring is made from stainless steel. The lever generally moves the spring from a first or open position configured to receive a wire to a second or closed position configured to retain the wire. In one example, the spring includes an aperture configured to receive the wire when the lever is in the open position. The aperture is further configured to surround and retain the wire when the lever is in the closed position. The spring aperture is sized to receive wires ranging in size from 12-24 American wire gauge (AWG). In another example, the lever is perpendicular to the body of the banana plug in the open position and is parallel to the body of the banana plug in the closed position. In the open position, the lever applies a compression force to the spring. Generally, the compression force moves the spring aperture vertically (e.g., downward). Thus, the spring aperture is exposed and able to receive the wire. In the closed position, the lever is not in contact with the spring.
- The banana plug further includes a busbar configured to transfer electricity through the plug. For example, the wire transfers electricity into the plug, along the busbar, and into a device. In one example, the busbar is made from highly conductive material, such as copper. In another example, the busbar is gold plated. In one embodiment, the busbar extends through the aperture of the spring. For example, the busbar and the spring aperture are configured to form a sandwich arrangement with the wire. As should be appreciated, this arrangement clamps the wire between the spring and the busbar in a secure connection.
- In an example use case, a user begins by rotating the lever into the open position. As mentioned above, the lever applies force to the spring in the open position, thus exposing the spring aperture. The user then inserts the wire into the spring aperture via a wire opening in the body. Once the wire is within the spring aperture, the user rotates the lever into the closed position. As mention above, the lever does not apply force to the spring in the closed position, thus the spring aperture moves vertically upward, sandwiching the wire between the spring aperture and the busbar. As should be appreciated, once the wire is in contact with the busbar, the electrical connection is complete. For example, the banana plug may then be plugged in for use. To remove the banana plug from the wire, the user rotates the lever into the open position and pulls the wire out of the spring aperture.
- The system and techniques as described and illustrated herein concern a number of unique and inventive aspects. Some, but by no means all, of these unique aspects are summarized below.
- Aspect 1 generally concerns a system that includes a banana plug connector.
- Aspect 2 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the banana plug connector facilitates toolless connection of a wire.
- Aspect 3 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the banana plug includes a lever configured to actuate an internal spring.
- Aspect 4 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the lever actuates the spring from a first position configured to receive a wire to a second position configured to retain the wire.
- Aspect 5 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the spring includes an aperture configured to receive the wire in the first position.
- Aspect 6 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the aperture is configured to surround and retain the wire in the second position.
- Aspect 7 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the spring aperture is configured to direct the wire vertically upward into contact with a busbar when in the second position.
- Aspect 8 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the wire is contacted on one side via the busbar in the second position.
- Aspect 9 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the wire is contacted on an opposite side via an edge of the spring aperture in the second position.
-
Aspect 10 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the lever applies a compression force to the spring in the first position. - Aspect 11 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the compression force is configured to compress the spring to allow access to the spring aperture in the first position.
- Aspect 12 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the banana plug includes a body portion defining an integral channel.
- Aspect 13 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the lever is configured to rest within the integral channel when in the second position to prevent accidental rotation of the lever.
- Aspect 14 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the spring includes an aperture configured to retain the wire within the banana plug connector.
- Aspect 15 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the aperture includes an edge configured to direct the wire vertically upward into contact with a busbar in a sandwich arrangement.
- Aspect 16 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the sandwich arrangement is configured to retain the wire within the banana plug connector.
- Aspect 17 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the banana plug includes a busbar configured to transfer electricity through the plug.
- Aspect 18 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the busbar extends through the aperture of the spring.
- Aspect 19 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the busbar and spring aperture are configured to form a sandwich arrangement with the wire when in the second position.
- Aspect 20 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the sandwich arrangement is configured to securely retain the wire in the second position.
- Aspect 21 generally concerns the system of any previous aspect in which the banana plug accepts 12-24 American wire gauges (AWG) wire.
- Aspect 22 generally concerns a method of using or manufacturing the system of any previous aspect.
- Further forms, objects, features, aspects, benefits, advantages, and embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from a detailed description and drawings provided herewith.
-
FIG. 1 is a side view of a banana plug including a wire according to one example. -
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the wire being inserted into the banana plug ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the banana plug ofFIG. 1 with the wire connected to the banana plug. -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a banana plug according to another example. -
FIG. 5 is a side view of the banana plug ofFIG. 4 with a lever in a closed position. -
FIG. 6 is a side view of the banana plug ofFIG. 4 with the lever in an open position. -
FIG. 7 is a top view of the banana plug ofFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 8 is an enlarged end view of the banana plug ofFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the banana plug ofFIG. 4 with the lever in the closed position. -
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the banana plug ofFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the banana plug ofFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the banana plug ofFIG. 4 with the lever in the open position. -
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a portion of the banana plug ofFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 14 is a top view of a binding post system. -
FIG. 15 is a rear perspective view of the binding post system ofFIG. 14 . -
FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of the binding post system ofFIG. 14 . - For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described embodiments and any further applications of the principles of the invention as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. One embodiment of the invention is shown in great detail, although it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that some features that are not relevant to the present invention may not be shown for the sake of clarity.
- The reference numerals in the following description have been organized to aid the reader in quickly identifying the drawings where various components are first shown. In particular, the drawing in which an element first appears is typically indicated by the left-most digit(s) in the corresponding reference number. For example, an element identified by a “100” series reference numeral will likely first appear in
FIG. 1 , an element identified by a “200” series reference numeral will likely first appear inFIG. 2 , and so on. -
FIG. 1 shows a side view of abanana plug 100 according to one example. Thebanana plug 100 can be used to make electrical connections for a wide variety of electrical equipment such as AV equipment. Thebanana plug 100 includes abody 105 with alever 110 configured to enable manual connection and disconnection of a wire without the use of tools. To reduce the risk of electrical shorts, thebody 105 in one version is made from electrically insulative material, such as plastic or other polymeric material. In another version, thebody 105 is made from an electrically conductive material, such as a metallic material, to promote grounding. When made of conductive material, insulating material is positioned to electrically isolate thebody 105 from other electrically conductive material of thebanana plug 100. In the illustrated example, thebody 105 has an elongated cylindrical shape to conserve space. Thebody 105 in other examples can be shaped differently. For instance, thebody 105 can have rectangular and/or polygonal shape. - The
lever 110 extends from thebody 105 and is configured to alternate between one or more positions. In one position, thelever 110 is configured to receive awire 120. In another position, thelever 110 is configured to secure thewire 120 within thebody 105. To facilitate connection between thebanana plug 100 and thewire 120, thewire 120 is inserted into afemale portion 124 of thebody 105 located on afirst end 122 of thebody 105. In one example, thefemale portion 124 is sized to receivewire 120 from 0-40 American Wire Gauge (AWG). In another example, thefemale portion 124 is sized to receivewire 120 from 12-24 AWG. - Located on a
second end 125 of thebody 105 is amale portion 130. Themale portion 130 includes apin 135 with one or more leaves 140. Themale portion 130 is configured to plug into a receptacle in order to transfer electricity from thewire 120 into the receptacle. Theleaves 140 are configured to secure themale portion 130 within the receptacle via a biasing force. For example, theleaves 140 act as leaf springs and/or another form of spring. In another example, themale portion 130 does not include anyleaves 140, instead an interior portion of the receptacle includes one or more leaves. Themale portion 130,pin 135, and theleaves 140 are made from an electrically conductive material. In one example, themale portion 130,pin 135. and leaves 140 are made from copper. In another example, themale portion 130,pin 135, and leaves 140 are gold plated. In yet another example, themale portion 130,pin 135, and leaves 140 are made from another electrically conductive material. In one version, themale portion 130 is removable and/or replaceable within thebody 105 of thebanana plug 100. -
FIG. 2 shows an example of insertion of thewire 120 into thebanana plug 100 via thefemale portion 124. As indicated byarrow 205, thewire 120 is first inserted into thefemale portion 124 of thebody 105. Thewire 120 includes anuninsulated portion 210 and aninsulated portion 215. Theuninsulated portion 210 is inserted into thefemale portion 124 of thebanana plug 100 to facilitate a strong electrical connection between thewire 120 and thebanana plug 100. Theinsulated portion 215 is configured to protect thewire 120 and prevent electrical short circuits and/or unwanted electrical contact. Once thewire 120 is inserted into thefemale portion 124, thelever 110 is actuated into the securing position to lock thewire 120 within thebody 105. In the illustrated example, the attachment of thebanana plug 100 to thewire 120 is done without the use of tools. -
FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of thebanana plug 100 showing internal components of thebody 105. Thebody 105 contains abusbar 305 and aspring 310. Thebusbar 305 is configured to enable the flow of electricity from theuninsulated portion 210 of thewire 120 into themale portion 130 via thebusbar 305. Thespring 310 is configured to secure thewire 120 within thebody 105 via a compression force applied to thewire 120. Thespring 310 is configured to compress theuninsulated portion 210 of thewire 120 between thebusbar 305 and thespring 310. Actuation of thespring 310 is accomplished via thelever 110. In one example, a small amount of theinsulated portion 215 is inserted into thefemale portion 124 to prevent unwanted exterior contact with theuninsulated portion 210. As should be appreciated, theuninsulated portion 210 is electrically conductive and theinsulated portion 215 is not electrically conductive. Thus, theuninsulated portion 210 is configured to transfer electricity from thewire 120 into thebusbar 305 and through themale portion 130 into the receptacle. -
FIG. 4 depicts abanana plug 400 according to another example. Thebanana plug 400 has thelever 110 that is pivotally coupled to abody 405. InFIGS. 4 and 5 , thebanana plug 400 is shown with thelever 110 in a second or aclosed position 410. Theclosed position 410 is configured to secure and/or lock thewire 120 within thebody 405 of thebanana plug 400. Thus, in theclosed position 410, a compression force is generated via thespring 310 on thewire 120. As shown inFIG. 5 , themale portion 130 includes adetent 505 located at an end of themale portion 130. Thedetent 505 is configured to provide additional security to hold thebanana plug 400 within the receptacle. Thedetent 505 is configured to mate with a corresponding opening within the receptacle to further secure themale portion 130 within the receptacle. In other variations, thebanana plug 400 does not have thedetent 505. - Turning to
FIG. 6 , thebanana plug 400 is shown with thelever 110 in a first or anopen position 605. When thelever 110 is in theopen position 605, thebanana plug 400 is configured to enable insertion of thewire 120 into thebody 405. In theclosed position 410 described previously, thewire 120 is prevented from fully entering thebody 405. However, in theopen position 605, thewire 120 is able to fully enter thebody 405. As should be appreciated, by actuating thelever 110 from theclosed position 410 to theopen position 605, thebanana plug 400 facilitates a manual or toolless connection to thewire 120. The toolless connection allows for time and cost savings. Additionally, the toolless connection facilitates easy replacement of thewire 120 and/or thebanana plug 400 in the event of a failure. -
FIGS. 7 and 8 show alternate views of thebanana plug 400 with thelever 110 in theclosed position 410. As shown, thebody 405 includes achannel 705. Thechannel 705 is configured to retain thelever 110 when in theclosed position 410. Thechannel 705 is configured to prevent accidental actuation of thelever 110. As should be appreciated, preventing accidental actuation of thelever 110 extends the life of thebanana plug 400. -
FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of thebanana plug 400 with thelever 110 in theclosed position 410. Thespring 310 is in a resting position 905 when thelever 110 is in theclosed position 410. In the resting position 905, there is no external force applied to thespring 310. When thelever 110 is in theclosed position 410, thespring 310 is in a natural and/or resting state. Thespring 310 includes a base 907 configured to surround a portion of thebusbar 305. The base 907 curves into afulcrum 910 configured to act as a pivot point for anarm 915 of thespring 310. Thearm 915 includes abend 920 extending into aleg 925. In one example, thebend 920 defines an angle of 15-180 degrees. - Shown in
FIG. 10 is another view of the cross-section of thebanana plug 400. As can be seen, thespring 310 defines anaperture 1005 through which thebusbar 305 extends. Theaperture 1005 is defined on all sides by theleg 925 of thespring 310, such that theaperture 1005 forms a window. Theaperture 1005 is configured to receive thewire 120 when thelever 110 is in theopen position 605. - The
aperture 1005 defines agap 1010 between thebusbar 305 and an edge of thespring 310. Thegap 1010 is configured to expand and/or contract based on the position of thelever 110. Thegap 1010 is configured to expand in order to receive thewire 120 when thelever 110 is in theopen position 605. Thegap 1010 is configured to contract in order to clamp thewire 120 between thebusbar 305 and thespring 310 when thelever 110 is in theclosed position 410. -
FIG. 11 shows another view of thebanana plug 400. As can be seen, thegap 1010 is formed within theaperture 1005 of thespring 310 between anedge 1105 of thespring 310 and thebusbar 305. Thewire 120 is compressed via theedge 1105 against thebusbar 305 when thelever 110 is in theclosed position 410 to form a solid connection between thebanana plug 400 and thewire 120. Additionally, thewire 120 is configured to maintain contact with thebusbar 305 via the upward pressure of theedge 1105 to prevent short circuiting of the electrical connections. Thus, electricity is able to flow through thebanana plug 400 without interference. In the illustrated embodiment, theedge 1105 is configured to contact one side of thewire 120 while thebusbar 305 is configured to contact an opposing side of thewire 120 to form a sandwich arrangement. -
FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view of thebanana plug 400 with thelever 110 in theopen position 605. Thespring 310 is in acompressed position 1205 when thelever 110 is in theopen position 605. As thelever 110 moves from theclosed position 410 to theopen position 605, alobe 1212 of thelever 110 is configured to engage with thearm 915 of thespring 310 to apply a compression force to thespring 310. The force pivots thearm 915 about thefulcrum 910. As thearm 915 pivots about thefulcrum 910, theleg 925 of thespring 310 moves downward, in the −Y direction as shown byreference axis 1210. Theleg 925 further includes atongue 1215 at one end. As should be appreciated, downward movement of theleg 925 andtongue 1215 expands thegap 1010 to receive thewire 120. In one example, thegap 1010 is adjusted based on the size of thewire 120. For example, thegap 1010 is adjusted to receive 12-24 AWG wire. - As the
lever 110 is moved from theopen position 605 to theclosed position 410, thelobe 1212 loses contact with thearm 915 of thespring 310 as the force on thespring 310 is removed. As force is removed, thearm 915 begins to pivot upward about thefulcrum 910, in the +Y direction. Thus, theleg 925 and thetongue 1215 move upward, in the +Y axis as shown by thereference axis 1210. As theleg 925 and thetongue 1215 move upward, theedge 1105 contacts an underside of thewire 120 and pushes thewire 120 in the +Y axis until thewire 120 contacts thebusbar 305. - The
edge 1105 of thespring 310 then applies a constant compression and/or biasing force to thewire 120 via sandwiching thewire 120 between theedge 1105 and thebusbar 305. The biasing force is configured to retain thewire 120 within thebanana plug 400. To remove thewire 120, the user moves thelever 110 from theclosed position 410 to theopen position 605, such that thegap 1010 is expanded and theedge 1105 loses contact with thewire 120. The user then pulls thewire 120 out of thefemale portion 124 of thebanana plug 400. -
FIG. 13 shows themale portion 130 integrally connected to thebusbar 305 andspring 310. In one example, thebusbar 305 and thespring 310 are connected to themale portion 130 via aflange 1310. In another example, thebusbar 305 is connected to themale portion 130 via theflange 1310 and thespring 310 is an integral component of themale portion 130. - The
busbar 305 further includes aguide 1305. Theguide 1305 is configured to extend through theaperture 1005 of thespring 310. Theguide 1305 is configured to guide thewire 120 into theaperture 1005 of thespring 310. Thebusbar 305 extends through theaperture 1005 to enable contact between thebusbar 305 and thewire 120 during use. In one version, thebusbar 305 is an integral component of thespring 310, such that thebusbar 305 and thespring 310 are fixed together in a unitary component. For example, thebusbar 305 is configured to rest within and/or partially within thebase 907 of thespring 310. In one example, thebusbar 305 is made from a conductive material while thespring 310 is made from a nonconductive material. In another example, both thebusbar 305 andspring 310 are made from an electrically conductive material. -
FIG. 14 shows an example of abinding post system 1400. Thebinding post system 1400 is configured to enable a user to connect electrical components, such as wires, banana plugs, spade connectors, and/or other electrical connectors. Thebinding post system 1400 is configured for use with anoutlet cover 1405 and anoutlet 1410. Thebinding post system 1400 includes one or morebinding posts 1415, which are integral to theoutlet 1410. In another example, theoutlet 1410 includes a series ofbinding posts 1415, such as two (2), four (4), six (6), eight (8), and/or other numbers ofbinding posts 1415. - The
binding post 1415 includes abody 1417 with afirst end 1420 and asecond end 1425. Thefirst end 1420 includes alever 1430 to facilitate a toolless connection between thefirst end 1420 of thebinding post 1415 and awire 1435. Thelever 1430 of thebinding post 1415 is configured to operate similarly to thelever 110 of thebanana plug 100 described previously. For example, thelever 1430 is configured to actuate from an open position configured to receive thewire 1435 to a closed position configured to retain thewire 1435. Opposite thefirst end 1420, thesecond end 1425 is configured to receive thebanana plug 400 via a plug-in style connection. In another version, thesecond end 1425 is configured to receive wire directly, without thebanana plug 400. As should be appreciated, thebinding post system 1400 facilitates the flow of electricity from thewire 120 to thewire 1435 via thebanana plug 400 and thebinding post 1415. -
FIG. 15 shows another example of thebinding post system 1400. Thefirst end 1420 of thebinding post 1415 is shown to include afemale portion 1505. Thefemale portion 1505 is configured to receive wire, banana plugs, and/or other electrical connectors to facilitate a toolless connection between thebinding post system 1400 and the electrical connector. For example, a user inserts a wire and/or banana plug into thefemale portion 1505 of thebinding post 1415 and then actuates thelever 1430 to secure the wire and/or banana plug within thefemale portion 1505. Thelever 1430 is designed to function in a similar manner to thelever 110 of thebanana plug 100. In one version, thefemale portion 1505 is configured to accept wire from 12-24 AWG. -
FIG. 16 shows yet another view of thebinding post system 1400. Thesecond end 1425 of thebinding post 1415 is shown to include afemale portion 1605. Thefemale portion 1605 is configured to receive wire, banana plugs, spade connectors, and/or other electrical connectors. However, thesecond end 1425 of thebinding post 1415 does not include alever 1430, such that thesecond end 1425 of thebinding post 1415 functions differently than thefirst end 1420 of thebinding post 1415. In another version, both thefirst end 1420 and thesecond end 1425 of thebinding post 1415 includeseparate levers 1430 configured to enable toolless connection of one or more electrical connectors. Thefemale portion 1605 is configured to accept wire from 12-24 AWG. - The language used in the claims and specification is to only have its plain and ordinary meaning, except as explicitly defined below. The words in these definitions are to only have their plain and ordinary meaning. Such plain and ordinary meaning is inclusive of all consistent dictionary definitions from the most recently published Webster's dictionaries and Random House dictionaries. As used in the specification and claims, the following definitions apply to these terms and common variations thereof identified below.
- “About” with reference to numerical values generally refers to plus or minus 10% of the stated value. For example, if the stated value is 4.375, then use of the term “about 4.375” generally means a range between 3.9375 and 4.8125.
- “Adhesive” generally refers to any non-metallic substance applied to one or both surfaces of two separate parts that binds them together and resists their separation. For example, an adhesive can bond both mating surfaces through specific adhesion (e.g., molecular attraction), through mechanical anchoring (e.g., by flowing into holes in porous surfaces), and/or through fusion (e.g., partial solution of both surfaces in the adhesive or its solvent vehicle). Some non-limiting examples of adhesives include liquid adhesives, film adhesives, resin adhesives, rubber adhesives, silicone-based adhesives, mastics, metal-to-metal adhesives, plastic adhesives, rubber adhesives, sprayable adhesives, and hot melt adhesives, to name just a few.
- “American Wire Gauge (AWG)” generally refers to a logarithmic stepped standardized wire gauge system referring to the diameters of round, solid, nonferrous, electrically conducting wire. Dimensions of the wires are given in ASTM standard B258. Increasing gauge numbers denote decreasing wire diameters. The AWG tables are for a single, solid, round conductor. The AWG of a stranded wire is determined by the cross-sectional area of the equivalent solid conductor. Because there are also small gaps between the strands, a stranded wire generally has a slightly larger overall diameter than a solid wire with the same AWG.
- “Banana Plug” or “Banana Connector” generally refers to an electrical connector including a body and a cylindrical metal pin with one or more springs and/or leaves oriented lengthwise along the pin. The leaves are biased to bulge and/or bow outwards from the pin. The leaves are configured to apply pressure to an interior of a socket and/or receptacle when the banana plug is inserted. Pressure from the leaves improves the electrical connection between the plug and socket. In alternate versions, the pin does not include any leaves, but instead the receptacle and/or socket includes leaves configured to engage the pin. Opposite the pin, the banana plug includes an aperture configured to receive a wire and/or another banana plug pin in a “stackable plug” configuration. The wire and/or pin is held within the aperture via one or more fasteners, solder, crimping, screws, and/or via a snap-fit connection. In some applications, the banana plug includes insulated sheathing configured to surround the pin. The sheathing is configured to prevent accidental electrocution and/or shock. In some examples, the banana plug is configured for use with a five-way and/or universal binding post. Other examples of banana plugs include: PL-259 plugs, miniature banana connectors, pin tip jacks, wander plugs, and/or other similar type electrical connectors.
- “Cantilever Spring” generally refers to a spring fixed only at one end. In one non-limiting example, the cantilever spring is in the form of a flat spring that is anchored at one and the other end extends freely away from the anchored end.
- “Channel” generally refers to a long, narrow groove in a surface of an object.
- “Conductor” or “Conductive Material” generally refers to a material and/or object that allows the free flow of an electrical charge in one or more directions such that relatively significant electric currents will flow through the material under the influence of an electric field under normal operating conditions. By way of non-limiting examples, conductors include materials having low resistivity, such as most metals (e.g., copper, gold, aluminum, etc.), graphite, and conductive polymers.
- “Contact” generally refers to a condition and/or state where at least two objects are physically touching. For example, contact requires at least one location where objects are directly or indirectly touching, with or without any other member(s) material in between.
- “Detent” or “Detent Mechanism” generally refers to a device configured to position and hold one mechanical part in relation to another in a manner such that the device can be released by force applied to one of the parts. Some non-limiting examples of detents include a catch, dog, or spring-operated ball.
- “Electrical Connection” generally refers a connection between two objects that allows a flow of electric current and/or electric signals.
- “Fastener” generally refers to a hardware device that mechanically joins or otherwise affixes two or more objects together. By way of non-limiting examples, the fastener can include bolts, dowels, nails, nuts, pegs, pins, rivets, screws, buttons, hook and loop fasteners, and snap fasteners, to just name a few.
- “Female” generally refers to a structure that connects to another structure that includes hollow portions for receiving portions of a corresponding male connector.
- “Gauge” generally refers to the standard American Wire Gauge (“AWG”) cross-sectional size or its cross-sectional area equivalent. For example, 14 gauge, or AWG 14, corresponds to a circle having a diameter of 1.63 millimeters. For example, 15 gauge, or AWG 15, corresponds to a circle having a diameter of 1.45 millimeters.
- “Hole” generally refers to a hollow portion through a solid body, wall or a surface. A hole may be any shape. For example, a hole may be, but is not limited to, circular, triangular, or rectangular. A hole may also have varying depths and may extend entirely through the solid body or surface or may extend through only one side of the solid body.
- “Insulator” or “Insulative Material” generally refers to a material and/or object whose internal electric charges do not flow freely such that very little electric current will flow through the material under the influence of an electric field under normal operating conditions. By way of non-limiting examples, insulator materials include materials having high resistivity, such as glass, paper, ceramics, rubber, and plastics.
- “Leaf Spring” generally refers to a type of spring made from one or more strips of elastic material. In one form, multiple strips of elastic material are laminated together to form the leaf spring, and in other forms, a single strip of elastic material, such metal and/or plastic, forms the leaf spring. The leaf springs can be curved or substantially straight. The leaf spring can further include a frame to which the ends of the strips are attached.
- “Lever” generally refers to a simple machine including a beam, rod, or other structure pivoted at a fulcrum, such as a hinge. In one form, the lever is a rigid body capable of rotating on a point on itself. Levers can be generally categorized into three types of classes based on the location of fulcrum, load, and/or effort. In a class 1 type of lever, the fulcrum is located in the middle such that the effort is applied on one side of the fulcrum and the resistance or load on the other side. For class 1 type levers, the mechanical advantage may be greater than, less than, or equal to 1. Some non-limiting examples of class 1 type levers include seesaws, crowbars, and a pair of scissors. In a class 2 type of lever, which is sometimes referred to as a force multiplier lever, the resistance or load is located generally near the middle of the lever such that the effort is applied on one side of the resistance and the fulcrum is located on the other side. For class 2 type levers, the load arm is smaller than the effort arm, and the mechanical advantage is typically greater than 1. Some non-limiting examples of class 2 type levers include wheelbarrows, nutcrackers, bottle openers, and automobile brake pedals. In a class 3 type lever, which is sometimes referred to as a speed multiplier lever, the effort is generally located near the middle of the lever such that the resistance or load is on one side of the effort and the fulcrum is located on the other side. For class 3 type levers, the effort arm is smaller than the load arm, and the mechanical advantage is typically less than 1. Some non-limiting examples of class 3 type levers include a pair of tweezers and the human mandible.
- “Male” generally refers to a structure that connects to another structure that includes portions that fill or fit inside the hollow portion of a corresponding female connector.
- “Manual” generally refers work done by human hand and not via machine, tool, and/or electronics.
- “Metallic” generally refers to a material that includes a metal, or is predominately (50% or more by weight) a metal. A metallic substance may be a single pure metal, an alloy of two or more metals, or any other suitable combination of metals. The term may be used to refer to materials that include nonmetallic substances. For example, a metallic cable may include one or more strands of wire that are predominately copper sheathed in a polymer or other nonconductive material.
- “Plastic” generally refers to a group of materials, either synthetic, semi-synthetic, and/or naturally occurring, that may be shaped when soft and then hardened to retain the given shape. Plastics are polymers. A polymer is a substance made of many repeating units. Plastics are generally insulators.
- “Polymer” generally refers to a material characterized by a molecular structure formed from the repetition of subunits bonded together. Examples include, but are not limited to, plastics or rubber.
- “Snap Fastener” generally refers to a fastening device including a male portion and a female portion. The male portion typically includes a protrusion or ball on one component, while the female portion typically includes a recess or a socket configured to accept and secure the male portion. Typically, a snap fastener is mated together by a pushing force and separated by a pulling force.
- “Toolless” generally refers to an activity not having and/or requiring tools in order to perform the activity. Typically, the act can be performed manually be an individual.
- “Wire” generally refers to elongated electrically conductive metal. This includes an individual strand, multiple strands (twisted, braided and/or not), traces, strips and other cross-sectional geometries. In some examples, wire is uninsulated wire, such as bare wire without a coating and/or plating. In other examples, wire is insulated wire with a coating of non-conductive material surrounding the wire. In some examples, insulated wire is coated with plastic, fluoropolymer, and/or rubber materials.
- It should be noted that the singular forms “a,” “an,” “the,” and the like as used in the description and/or the claims include the plural forms unless expressly discussed otherwise. For example, if the specification and/or claims refer to “a device” or “the device”, it includes one or more of such devices.
- It should be noted that directional terms, such as “up,” “down,” “top,” “bottom,” “lateral,” “longitudinal,” “radial,” “circumferential,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” etc., are used herein solely for the convenience of the reader in order to aid in the reader's understanding of the illustrated embodiments, and it is not the intent that the use of these directional terms in any manner limit the described, illustrated, and/or claimed features to a specific direction and/or orientation.
- While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes, equivalents, and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventions defined by the following claims are desired to be protected. All publications, patents, and patent applications cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference and set forth in its entirety herein.
-
-
100 banana plug 105 body 110 lever 120 wire 122 first end 124 female portion 125 second end 130 male portion 135 pin 140 leaves 205 arrow 210 uninsulated portion 215 insulated portion 305 busbar 310 spring 400 banana plug 405 body 410 closed position 505 detent 605 open position 705 channel 905 resting position 907 base 910 fulcrum 915 arm 920 bend 925 leg 1005 aperture 1010 gap 1105 edge 1205 compressed position 1210 reference axis 1212 lobe 1215 tongue 1305 guide 1310 flange 1400 binding post system 1405 outlet cover 1410 outlet 1415 binding post 1417 body 1420 first end 1425 second end 1430 lever 1435 wire 1505 female portion 1605 female portion
Claims (23)
Priority Applications (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US17/935,359 US11749927B1 (en) | 2022-03-03 | 2022-09-26 | Quick install banana plug |
PCT/US2022/077738 WO2023167748A1 (en) | 2022-03-03 | 2022-10-07 | Quick install banana plug |
US18/364,132 US11894630B2 (en) | 2022-03-03 | 2023-08-02 | Quick install pluggable terminal block |
US18/459,131 US20230411890A1 (en) | 2022-03-03 | 2023-08-31 | Quick install banana plug |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
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US202263268825P | 2022-03-03 | 2022-03-03 | |
US17/935,359 US11749927B1 (en) | 2022-03-03 | 2022-09-26 | Quick install banana plug |
Related Parent Applications (1)
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US17/935,359 Continuation-In-Part US11749927B1 (en) | 2022-03-03 | 2022-09-26 | Quick install banana plug |
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US17/935,359 Continuation-In-Part US11749927B1 (en) | 2022-03-03 | 2022-09-26 | Quick install banana plug |
PCT/US2022/077738 Continuation WO2023167748A1 (en) | 2022-03-03 | 2022-10-07 | Quick install banana plug |
US18/364,132 Continuation-In-Part US11894630B2 (en) | 2022-03-03 | 2023-08-02 | Quick install pluggable terminal block |
US18/459,131 Continuation US20230411890A1 (en) | 2022-03-03 | 2023-08-31 | Quick install banana plug |
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US11749927B1 US11749927B1 (en) | 2023-09-05 |
US20230283004A1 true US20230283004A1 (en) | 2023-09-07 |
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US17/935,359 Active US11749927B1 (en) | 2022-03-03 | 2022-09-26 | Quick install banana plug |
US18/364,132 Active US11894630B2 (en) | 2022-03-03 | 2023-08-02 | Quick install pluggable terminal block |
US18/459,131 Pending US20230411890A1 (en) | 2022-03-03 | 2023-08-31 | Quick install banana plug |
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US18/364,132 Active US11894630B2 (en) | 2022-03-03 | 2023-08-02 | Quick install pluggable terminal block |
US18/459,131 Pending US20230411890A1 (en) | 2022-03-03 | 2023-08-31 | Quick install banana plug |
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US (3) | US11749927B1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2023167748A1 (en) |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6447333B1 (en) * | 2001-02-13 | 2002-09-10 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Coaxial cable converter |
US10014596B2 (en) * | 2015-05-19 | 2018-07-03 | Wago Verwaltungsgesellschaft Mbh | Conductor terminal |
Family Cites Families (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4468083A (en) | 1981-12-17 | 1984-08-28 | Monster Cable Products, Inc. | Crimped banana-type electrical connector and method thereof |
US4824405A (en) | 1987-05-28 | 1989-04-25 | Ronald Derain | Self-locking electrical banana plug |
DE29915515U1 (en) | 1999-09-03 | 2001-02-01 | Weidmueller Interface | Spring clip for connecting electrical conductors |
EP1309036B1 (en) * | 2000-08-04 | 2007-05-02 | Omron Corporation | Wire connector |
JP3435132B2 (en) | 2000-08-23 | 2003-08-11 | Smk株式会社 | plug |
US20030073356A1 (en) | 2001-10-17 | 2003-04-17 | Jay Victor | Self-crimping solderless connector |
US6786779B2 (en) * | 2002-06-20 | 2004-09-07 | Tyco Electronics Amp Gmbh | Electrical plug connector with spring tension clamp |
US6893286B2 (en) | 2003-09-06 | 2005-05-17 | Weidmüller Interface GmbH & Co. KG | Connector apparatus adapted for the direct plug-in connection of conductors |
DE102004046471B3 (en) * | 2004-09-23 | 2006-02-09 | Phoenix Contact Gmbh & Co. Kg | Electrical connection or connection terminal |
KR200434573Y1 (en) | 2006-09-25 | 2006-12-22 | 훼스토원(주) | Easy assemble terminal |
DE102018117508B4 (en) | 2018-07-19 | 2024-01-18 | Wago Verwaltungsgesellschaft Mbh | Conductor connection terminal |
DE202018106896U1 (en) | 2018-12-04 | 2020-03-05 | WAGO Verwaltungsgesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung | Spring terminal |
DE102019101880B4 (en) | 2019-01-25 | 2023-09-14 | Wago Verwaltungsgesellschaft Mbh | Clamping spring and conductor connection terminal |
-
2022
- 2022-09-26 US US17/935,359 patent/US11749927B1/en active Active
- 2022-10-07 WO PCT/US2022/077738 patent/WO2023167748A1/en unknown
-
2023
- 2023-08-02 US US18/364,132 patent/US11894630B2/en active Active
- 2023-08-31 US US18/459,131 patent/US20230411890A1/en active Pending
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6447333B1 (en) * | 2001-02-13 | 2002-09-10 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Coaxial cable converter |
US10014596B2 (en) * | 2015-05-19 | 2018-07-03 | Wago Verwaltungsgesellschaft Mbh | Conductor terminal |
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WO2023167748A1 (en) | 2023-09-07 |
US11749927B1 (en) | 2023-09-05 |
US11894630B2 (en) | 2024-02-06 |
US20230378679A1 (en) | 2023-11-23 |
US20230411890A1 (en) | 2023-12-21 |
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