US2226849A

US2226849A - Electrical connection means

Info

Publication number: US2226849A
Application number: US88854A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harry A Douglas
Original assignee: Kingston Products Corp
Current assignee: Kingston Products Corp
Priority date: 1936-07-03
Filing date: 1936-07-03
Publication date: 1940-12-31
Anticipated expiration: 1957-12-31

Description

Dec. 31, 1940. H, A DOUGLAS 2,226,849

ELECTRICAL CONNECTION MEANS Original Filed July 3. 1936 W 75j :e35- f l y.

.ATTORNJEXS Patented Dec. 31, 1940 ATENT ortica ELECTRICAL CONNECTION MEANS Harry A. Douglas, Bronson, Mich., assgnor to Kingston Products Corporation, a corporation of Indiana Application July 3,1936, serial No. 88,854 Renewed November 20, 1939 11 Claims. (C1. 173-269) This invention relates to electrical connection means, more particularly to means for'connecting a plug conductor terminal to an electrical conductor, and the principal object of this invention is to provide new and improved electrical connection means of these types.

In the drawing-accompanying this specification.

and forming a part'of this application, I have shown, for purposes of illustration, several forms which my invention may assume, and in this drawing: y

Figure 1 is an elevationalV view disclosing one embodiment of the invention in operative relation'with a receptacle of the so-called snap type.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the embodiment, illustrating a stage of assembly,

Figure 3 is alongitudinal sectional view of the embodiment as completely assembled, and further illustrating, in removed relation, one of a series of jaws for effecting connection,

Figure 4 is an enlarged transverse section corresponding to the line 4-4 of Figure 3, and also showing two of a series of jaw members for effecting one connection,

2 Figure 5 is an enlarged transverse section corresponding to the line 5 5 of Figure 3, and showing two of a series of jaw members for effecting another connection,

Figure 6 is an enlarged transverse sectional view corresponding to the line 6--6 of Figure 3,

and showing two of aA series of jaw members for effecting still another connection, and

Figure '7 is a longitudinal sectional view disclosing another embodiment of this invention.

Referring particularly to Figures 1 through 6, the embodiment of the invention therein shown comprises a body II, preferably formed of suitable electric current conducting material. The body I I may be shaped to provide a plug conductor terminal of the snap type, and to this end the body II is preferably provided with a gen` erally cylindrical portion I2, having an annular furrow I3 formed therein. The cylindrical 45 portion I2 at one end merges with a frustro-conical nose portion I4, and at its other end merges with an enlarged generally cylindrical portion I5. The body I I may be provided with a recess, and as preferred and shown in Figure 2, the body II is 50 axially bored, as at I6, the bore I6 extending inwardly from the enlarged portion I5, and stopping short of the extremity of the nose portion I4. Adjacent the enlarged cylindrical portion, the bore I6 is counterbored as shown at I'I, to form this 55 vcylindrical portion into generally sleeve shape.

The bore IB and the counterbore II are preferably joined by a tapering portion, as shown at I8 in Figure 2. If desired, the enlarged cylindrical portion I5 may be provided with a anged extremity I9. kAn insulated electrical conducting member 20 is adapted to be disposed within the axial recess formed inthe body II, and comprises an inner core 2| of current conducting material, prefer- `ably stranded wire as shown, and an outer cov- 10 ering 22 of insulating material, such as a covering of rubber about the core 2l, followed by a covering of fabric about the. rubber covering. However, it will be understood that the covering u 22 may be all rubber, or any other suitable insulating covering which may be preferred. As best shown in Figure 2, the insulation is stripped from one end of the member 20, to provide a bared portion 23, and that end of the member 20 is then threaded into the axial recess in the body II, so 20 that the bared portion 23 is disposed in the bore I6, and the adjacent insulated portion is disposed in the counterbore Il. The shoulder formed by stripping the insulation from the conducting member may abut the Wall of the tapered portion I8, as shown in Figure 2, so as to serve as a suitable means for limiting insertion of the member 20, although it will be appreciated that the tapered portion 'I8 provides a recess for receiving any frayed part of the insulation, so lthat this 30 frayed part cannot prevent proper insertion of the bared portion 23 of the conductor member 2li. It will also be obvious that abutment of the end of the bared portion 23 with the-closed end of the. bore I6 may serve as a means for limiting insertion .35 of the member 20. As shown in Figure 2,- the transverse size of the insulating covering 22 need not snugly t within the counterbore I1, thereby providing for the accommodation of various sized members 20. o

To secure the body II vto the insulated conductor member 20, the body'is provided with suitable indentations disposed in spaced planes generally transverse to the common axis of the bore I6 and counterbore I1. As best shown in Figure 3,

- the body ispreferably secured to the bared portion 23 by means of a. swedging action produced by a plurality of jaws 24, each of which carries j-

aw members

25, 26, and 21, suitable for the swedging purposes. In this embodiment it is preferred to use four jaws 24, although it be understood thatl any other number of jaw members maybe used.

. As shown in Figure 3, each jaw member' 25, 55

in longitudinal section, comprises a relatively narrow rectilinear projection extending from the jaw 24. The wall dening the length of the jaw member 25 cooperates with the extending walls of the jaw member to form relatively sharp cutting edges 26. A transverse section through two of the jaw members 25 is best shown in Figure 4, wherein it is illustrated that each of the jaw members 25 is contoured to cusp-like shape, as shown at 29. The jaw member 26 is shaped similar to the jaw member 25in that it provides relatively sharp cutting edges 30, and the jaw member 26 is spaced from' the related jaw member 25, as shown in Figure 3. Each of the jaw members 26 is contoured to cusp-like shape, as'

shown at 3l in Figure 5. Spaced from the jaw member 26 is the jaw member 21, and each member 21 comprises an extension of the jaw 24, the

extension having side walls 32, as shown in Figure 6, tapering towards a reentrant or concave limiting wall 33. Each of the jaw members 21, at the limiting wall 33, is shaped to provide a relatively sharp cutting edge 34, and a rounded edge 35 (Figure 3).

To assemble-the body II with the insulated conductor member 20, the latter member is disposed within the bore I6 and counterbore I1, as hereinbefore described, and with the bared por,- tion 23 positioned within the axial bore I6, as shown in Figure 2. 'I'he body II is suitably positioned in a holding device (not shown) which also includes means for moving the four jaws 24 simultaneously toward the axis of the body II, and for positioning each jaw 24 so that the

jaw members

25, 26, and 21 are in registry respectively with the frustro-conical nose I4, the cylindrical portion I2, and the sleeve portion I5. When the four jaws 24 are moved toward the axis of the body II, the cusp-like portions 29 and 3I of the

jaw members

25 and 26, and the surfaces adjacent the limiting wall 33 of the jaw.

member 21 will be pressed into the adjacent surfaces of the body II. After the jaw members 24 have been moved toward the axis of the body II a predetermined amount, the jaws 24 are returned to spaced position with respect to the body II.l

A transverse section through the indentations produced by the jaw members 25 is shown in Figure 4, and inspection of this gure will disclose that the jaw members 25 produce four indentations 36.1n the nose portion I4 ofthe body II, the indentations being similar in lshape to the contour of the jaw members 25. It will further be noted that the pressure exerted by the jaw members 25 has been transmitted through the material of the nose portion I4 to the adjacent bared portion 23 of the conductor member 20, so that this portion, in line with the indentations 36, has been pressed from its generally circular shape to a shape similar to a poly-- gon with reentrant sides, as best shown in Figure 4. Furthermore, this pressing or swedging action of the jaw members 25 has caused the strands of thebared portion to be pressed tightly together to substantially integral condition, and in addition, this integralportion of the bared portion 23 is pressed to have substantially integral relation with the adjacent surface of the nose portion I4. Therefore, it will be apparent that a substantially solid metal to metal connection is effected between the bared portion 23 of the conductor member 20, and the nose portion I4 0f the body II.

A transverse section through the indentations produced by the jaw members 26 is best shown in Figure 5, wherein it is illustrated that the jaw members 26 produce four indentations 31, similar to the indentations 36, and corresponding in shape to the contour of the jaw members 26. As before, the pressure exerted by the jaw members 26 has been transmitted through the material of the cylindrical portion I2 to the adjacentbared portion 23 of the conductor` member 20, so that this adjacent portion has been pressed from its circular shape to a shape similar to that described in connection with the indentations produced by the jaw members 25, and this swedging action 'of the jaw members 26 causes the strands of the adjacent part of the bared portion to be pressed tightly together to substantially integral condition, and in addition, this integral portion is pressed to have substantially integral connection with the adjacent cylindrical portion I2. Therefore, the connections so far described provide axially spaced, substantially solid metal to metal connections between the body portion I I and the inner core 2l of the conducting mem ber 20.

'I'he indentations formed by the jaw members 21 are best illustrated in Figures 1, 3, and 6. These indentations 38 areproduced by the inward movement of the jaw members 21, this inward movement causing the sharp edge 34 to cut into the sleeve I5, the rounded edge 35 pressing the adjacent portions of the sleeve I5 inwardly into the insulating cover 22 ofv the conductor member 20 so las to rmly engage with the insulating covering 22. This pressing action will also cause the portion of the stranded wire transversely in alignment with the indentations 38 to be somewhat compressed as best shown in Fig-- ure 3. It will be apparent that part of the indentation produced by the rounded edge 35 of the jaw member 21 will be curved as shown at 39 in Figure`3, so that the free part of the conductor member 20 may be moved laterally without fraying or cutting the insulating covering 22. As best shown in Figure 1, the jaw member 21 causes the adjacent surfaces of the sleeve I5 to bend inwardly as at 40, and also, the flange I9 is caused to pucker as at 4I. As best shown in Figure 6, the indentations 38 form the sleeve portion I5 so as to provide curved surfaces 42 corresponding to the limiting walls 33 of the jaw members 21. Intermediate the curved surfaces 42, the jaw members 21 form petal-like portions 43, which have their outer extremities generally aligned with the original periphery of the sleeve portion I5, the walls oi' the petal-like portions 43 tapering towards and merging with the curved surfaces 42. It will be obvious that the pressure of the jaw members 21 causes at least some of the insulating covering 22 to occupy spaces between the walls of the petal-like portions 39, as shown at 44. Also, some of the insulating covering 22 is displaced and pressed into the tapering recess I8 intermediate the bore I6 and the counterbore I1, as shown at 45 in Figure 3.

From the foregoing description it will be obvious that the body portion II has three connections with the conducting member 20, two of these connections providing substantially solid metal to metal contact between the body portion II and the conducting core 2|, and the third connection providing connection between the sleeve I5 of the body II and the insulating cover 22 of the conducting member 20. With this contion formed in the cylindrical portion I2. Furthermore, the connection formed by the indentations 31 in the cylindrical portion I2, is substantially sealed from communication with the exterior of the body II by the connection formed by the indentation 38 in the sleeve portionv I5. Therefore, no corrosive substances can enter the axial bore I6, and as a consequence, the

electrical connections formed by the

indentations

36 and 31 will not be subjected to corrosive action, and these connections will provide perfect electrical connection between the body I I and the core 2l under all conditions. The connection formed by the indentations '38, in addition to its sealing function, also serves the purpose of taking up strains produced by forces which may be applied to the conductor member 20 during assembling operation with a suitable receptacle.

.It will be obvious that any two of the three connections described may be used to satisfy certain predetermined conditions, and also, more connections than just the three described may be used without departing from the spirit of the invention.

use with a receptacle 46. The receptacle 46 may be of any suitable construction, but preferably comprises a solid portion 41 adapted for connection to a support 48 in any suitable manner. The solid portion 4'I is provided with a transverse bore 49, which communicates,I through an aperture 50, with a longitudinally bored portion 5I of the receptacle 46. A detent member 52 is disposed within the bore 5I, and has a portion extending through the aperture 50 and into the transverse bore 49, and a spring 53 is interposed between the detent member 52 and an inturned flanged part of the bored portion 5I of the receptacle 46, to yieldably urge the detent member to operative position.

In operation, the plug conductor body II is inserted withinthe transverse bore 49 of'the receptacle 46, the frustro-conical nose I4 of the plug body II camming the detnt member 52 inwardly of the bored portion 5I to permit .passage of the cylindrical part I2 of the plug body I I. When the furrow I3 of the plug body II is disposed adjacent the detent member 52, the latter member -will snap into the furrow I3 and mechanically and electrically hold the plug body 'conductor member 20, this pulling force causing the walls of the furrow I3 to cam the detent member 52 inwardly so as to provide for the passage tion, said terminal and said bare part being of the cylindrical part I2 of the plug body I I.

Referring to Figure 7, lthe embodiment therein shown comprises a body Ila similar to the body II. As in the .case of the embodiment shown in Figures 1 through 6, electrical connection between the body Ila and the conductor member 20a is veiected byindentations 36a and 31a'. In this instance, however, indentations 54 are formed in the sleeve I5a, these indentations 54 being substantially similarto. the indentations 38 of the embodiment shown in Figures l throughG, with the exception that the indentations 54 are pressed entirely through the insulating covering and into intimate contact with the current conducting portion 2|a of the conductor member 20a. If desired, the pressing force may be great enough to produce substantially solidl metal to metal connection between the baredportion 23 andthe adjacent portion of the indentations, similar to the connections vproduced by the indentations 36a and 31a. v'I'he construction of this embodiment provides three electrical connections between the body I Ia. and the conductor member 20a, and also provides connection to the insulating covering to take up stresses as before described.

From the foregoing it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the illustrated embodiment of my invention provides new and improved electrical connection means, readily and conveniently constructed and assembled, and accordingly, accomplishes at least the principal object of my invention. On the other hand, it also will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the illustrated embodiment of my invention may4 only, and my invention is not limited thereto.

1. An electrical connection, comprising: an insulatedelectrical conductor, the insulation on said conductor terminating short of the end of the conductor, leaving the end portion of the conductor bare; 'a terminal, for said conductor, including an elongated body having a longitudinal recess closed at one end and open at the other and otherwise imperforate, said recess receiving the bare part of said conductor and the adjacent end portion of the insulation, said terminal and.

said bare part being swaged into a continuous electrical' connection within and about said recess, and said terminal and said insulation being swaged together into a continuous connection sealing the open end of said recess and preventing -corrosive substances from reachingsaid electrical connection, said last-mentioned swage having curved portions conforming substantially to first portion receiving the bare part of said con-l ductor, and having an enlarged entrance portion forming a shoulder between said enlarged portion and said iirst portion, said enlarged portion receiving the adjacent end portion of the insulaswaged at least three places spaced apart circumferentially in a common general plane transverse to said terminal into a continuous electrical connection within and about said recess, and saidterminal and said insulation being swaged together into a continuous second connection sealing the open end of said recess and preventing corrosive substances from reaching said electrical connection, said second connection including in- `sulation forced towardL said first portion of said recess against said shoulder, the swage at said second connection having spaced apart curved portions defining the outline of.a circle, the di.

ameter of which is-less than the outside diameter of said insulation.

f 3. An electrical connection, including members determined transverse general plane on one side Y of said groove; said conductor means and said` l5 sleeve also being swaged into a continuous solidmetal cross-section in a predetermined transverse general plane on the other side of said groove adjacent the closed end of said sleeve and said skirt being crimped to bring the sleeve and 20 insulation on the conductor into bearing relation whereby to substantially close said annular space and in conjunction with said closed end substantially seal from the atmosphereV at least one of said swaging planes.

25 4. An electrical connection, including members united inV swaged relation; said members comprising insulated metallic conductor means and a grooved sleeve having a closed end, and an open end in which a bare end of said conductor means 30 is disposed; a skirt provided on said sleeve receiving the insulation in a manner to provide an annular space between the skirt and the insulation; said conductor means and said sleeve being swaged into a solid-metal cross-section in a pre- 35 determined transverse general plane on one side of said groove between the groove and said skirt;

said conductor means and said sleeve also being f swaged into a continuous solid-metal cross-section in a predetermined transverse general plane 4o on the other side of said groove; and said skirt being crimped to bring the sleeve and insulation on the conductor into bearing relation whereby to close said annular space and in conjunction with saidclosed end substantiallyseal from the 45 atmosphere atleast two o! said swaging planes.

5. An electrical connection, including members united in swaged relation; said members comprising insulated metallic conductor means and a grooved sleeve having a closed end, and an open 50 end in which a bare end of said conductor means is disposed; a skirt provided on said sleeve receiving the insulation in a manrur to provide an Y annular space between the skirt and the insulation; said conductor means .and said sleeve being 55 swaged into a solid-metal cross-section in a predetermined transverse general plane on one side of said groove;l said conductor means and said sleeve also being swaged into a continuous solidmetal cross-section in a predetermined-trans- `u() verse general plane on thelother side ci.' said groove adjacent the closed end ofsaid sleeve; and said skirt having crimpings bringing the sleeve and insulation on the conductor into bearing relation whereby to substantially close said annular 65 space and in conjunction with said closed end substantially seal` from the atmosphere at least one of said swaging planes; said crimpings being sleeve having a closed end and at least three swaged indentations spaced circumferentially in a common plane transverse to said sleeve; said sleeve also having at least three swaged indentaticns spaced circumiferentially in a common gen- 5 eral plane transverse to said sleeve and in spaced apart relation to said rstmentioned plane; and said conductor means and said sleeve having substantially. a continuous solid-metal cross-section in said planes. v

'7.` An electrical connection, comprising: an insulated electrical conductor, the insulation on said conductor terminating short of the end of the conductor, leaving' the end portion of the conductor bare; a terminal. ior said conductor, including an elongated body having a land portion and a skirt portion and a longitudinal recess closed at one end and open at the other and otherwise imperforate, said'recess adjacent said land portion receiving the bare part of said conductor, said' recess being enlarged at the skirt portion and receiving the adjacent end portion of the insulation, said terminal and said bare part adjacent said land being swaged into a continuous electrical connection within` and about said recess, and said terminal and said insulation adjacent said skirt being swaged together into a continuous connection sealing the open end of saidrecess and assisting to prevent corrosive substances from reaching said electrical connection, said last-mentioned swage having curved portions conforming substantially to the curvature of the insulation.

8. An electrical connection, comprising: an insulated 'electrical conductor, the insulation on 35 said conductor terminating short of the end of the conductor, leaving the end portion of the conductor bare; a terminal, for said conductor, including an elongated body having a land por- .'tion and askirt portion and a longitudinal re- 40 cess closed at one end and open at the other and otherwise imperforate, said recess having a first portion substantially within the land for receiving the bare part of y said conductor, and having an enlarged entrance portion substantially within the skirt forming a shoulder between said enlarged portion and said rst portion, said enlarged portion receiving the adjacent end portion of the insulation, said terminal and said bare part adjacent said land being swaged at least three places spaced apart circumferentially in a common general plane transverse to said terminal into a continuous electrical connection within and about said recess, and said terminal and said insulation adjacent said skirt being swaged together into a continuous second connection substantially sealing the openI end of said recess and assisting to prevent corrosive substances from reaching said electrical connection, said second connection including insulation forced toward said rstI portion of said recess against said shoulder, the swageoat said second connection having spaced apart Icurved portions defining .the outline of a circle, the diameter of which is less than the outside diameter of said 85 insulation. Y

9. An electrical connection, including mem-` -bers united in swagedrel-ation; said members comprising' insulated metallic conductor meansl and a sleeve having an' abutment, a closed end, 70 and an open end in which a bare end of said conductor means 'is disposed; a skirtY provided on said sleeve receiving the insulation in a manner to provide an annular space between the skirt and the insulation; said conductor `means A eral plane on one side of said abutment; said conductor means and said sleeve also `being swaged into a continuous solid-metal cross-section in a predetermined transverse general 4plane on .the other side of said abutment; and said skirt being crimped to bring the sleeve and insulation on 'the conductor into bearing relation whereby to substantially close said annular space and in conjunction with said closed end substanv tially seal from the atmosphere at least one of said swaging planes.

10. An electrical connection, including members united in swaged relation; said members comprising insulated metallic conductor means and a sleeve having an abutment, a closed end, and an open end in which a bare end of said conductor means is disposed; a skirt provided on said sleeve receiving the insulation in a manner to provide an annular space between the skirt and the insulation; said conductor means and said sleeve being swaged into a solid-metal crosssection inl a predetermined transverse gener-al plane on one side of said abutment; said conductor means and said sleeve also being swaged into -a continuous solid-metal cross-section in a predetermined transverse general plane on the other side of said abutment adjacent the closed end of said sleeve; and said skirt having crimpings bringing .the sleeve and insulation onl the conductor into bearing relation whereby to substantially' close said annular space and in con- 'junction with said closed end substantially seal from the atmosphere at least one of said swag- `\ing planes; said crimpings being located back from the free end of the skirt whereby to permit the conductor under certain conditions to ilex slightly within the confines ot the skirt.

11. An electrical connection, including members united in swaged relation; said membersI comprising insulated metallic conductor means and a sleeve in -which said conductor means is disposed; said sleeve having a closed end and at least three swaged indentations spaced circumferentially in a common plane transverse to said sleeve; said sleeve also having at least three swaged indentations spaced circumferentially in a common general plane transverse to saidsleeve and in spaced apart relation to said rst mentioned plane, said conductor means and said sleeve having substantially a continuous solidmetal cross-section in said plane; said sleeve further having a portion receiving the insulation on said conductor; and said portion being crimped with respect to said insulation, v

HARRY A. DOUGLAS.