US2402578A

US2402578A - Snap-in connector block

Info

Publication number: US2402578A
Application number: US496881A
Authority: US
Inventors: Douglas K Rollow
Original assignee: Lockheed Aircraft Corp
Current assignee: Lockheed Corp
Priority date: 1943-07-31
Filing date: 1943-07-31
Publication date: 1946-06-25
Anticipated expiration: 1963-06-25

Description

June 25, 1946. ROLLOW 2,402,578

SNAP-IN CONNECTOR BLOCK Filed July 31, 1943 "M ULL Inventor Douglas K. Rollow Agent Patented June 25, 1946 SNAP-IN vCONNECTOR, BLOCK Douglas K. Rollow, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor, by memo assignments, to Lockheed Aircraft Corporation, a corporation of California Application July 31, 1943, Serial No. 498,881

This invention relates to electrical equipment and relates more particularly to connector blocks. A general object of the invention is to provide a practical, dependable and inexpensive connector block for mechanically and electrically connecting electrical conductors. I

Another object of the invention is to provide a connector block suitable for use in aircraft, automotive vehicles, electrical devices, machinery, etc., by means of which two or ,more wires or similar electrical conductors may be easily and quickly. electrically and mechanically connected.

Another object of the invention is to provide a connector block in which the conductors may be expeditiously connected and disconnected withoutthe employment of any tools whatsoever. In employing the connector block, the wires are equipped with coupler tips or pins which are merely snapped into multiple coupler units in the block to be electrically and mechanically connected. The coupler tips are firmly and dependably held by the coupler units to maintain full electrical connection, but may be intentionally detached by a simple manual pull.

Another object of the invention is to provide a connector block in which the individual wires or conductors may be separately connected and disconnected without the necessity of removing-or otherwise disturbing the coupler units or the other conductors- Two or more pairs of wires may be electrically and mechanically connected by the device of the invention and the individual wires may be separately handled without disturbing the other wires. This is a distinct advantage over the binding post type of connector block in which the disconnection or connection of a single wire often necessitates the detachment and subsequent re-attachment of several other wires.

Another object of the invention is to provide a. connector block of the character referred to in which pluralities of sets or groups of two or more wires may each have their individual members or conductors maintained in electrical and mechanical connection, the several sets or groups remaining entirely distinct and electrically insulated one from the other.

Another object of the invention is to provide -a connector block of the character referred to that may be supplied with as many multiple coupler units as required for a given installationf The multiple coupler units may be inserted in the block in the number and locations required for a given installation and may be easily shifted,

I replaced and increased or decreased in number at any time,

6 Claims. (01. 173-334) Another object of the invention is to provide a connector block that embodies a simple one piece block body which houses and fully protects the,

multiple couplers.

A further object of the invention is to provide a connector block in which the wires of any given group or set may all be brought into one side or into both sides of the block as required. The connector block of the invention provides for the connection of straight-through wires as well as branch leads or wires on ohe or both sides of the block. r

A still further object of the invention is to provide a connector block of the character referred to that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and easy to install and service.

Other objects and features of the invention will be made apparent by the following detafled description of typical preferred forms of the invention throughout which reference is made to the accompanying drawing in which,

Figure 1 is a plan view of a connector block of the invention with a portion of the cover broken away to expose the interior of the block;

86 Figure 2 is aside elevation of the block with a portion appearing in vertical cross section, being a view taken as indicated by line 2--2 on Figure Figure 3 is a transverse detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 3-3 on Figure 2 show- Figure 6 is a vertical cross sectional view taken as indicated by line 6-6 on Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 showing another form of clip;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view illustrating another form of coupler means that may be embodied in the block; and,

Figure 9 is a vertical detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 9-8 on Figure 8 illustrating the manner in which the tips are engaged in the couplers.

The connector block of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 7 inclusive may be said to comprise generally a body It, a plurality of multiple coupler units II in the body "I, pins or tips I: for the conductors C adapted to be engaged in the coupler units II, and means l3 for removably retaining the coupler units in the body ID.

The block body It serves to support and house may be'any required number of openings. openings 20 are spaced and located so that the Hi to be hereinafter described.

the multiple coupler units H. In the preferred construction, the body I is a simple, one piece element, although the invention contemplates the fabrication of the body from two or more sections if desired. The body l0 may be designed to carry a, multiplicity of the coupler units H in any selected or required spaced relation. In the drawing the body I0 is an elongate one piece member constructed to contain a row or series of longitudinally spaced units The body it illustrated in the drawing is rectangular in transverse cross section having a flat bottom, vertical side faces, and a horizontal top surface. The opposite ends of the body H) are provided with pro- Jecting attaching ears H to facilitate the attachment of the block to a support. Openings l5 are provided in the ears It to receive attaching screws or the like. Tubular rivets or bushings I6 line the openings l5 and have radial annular flanges H on their ends. The openings l5 are counterbored at the under sides of the ears l4 to'receive the lower flanges l1.

Longitudinally spaced sockets or pockets l8 are provided in the body It! to, contain the coupler units II. The pockets l8 enter what I have termed the upper side of the block body l0 and extend downwardly a substantial distance. The pockets ill have vertical side and end walls, and the bottom walls of the pockets are curved and concave. The several pockets ii! are identical in size and shape, and may be equally spaced along the body it]. The longitudinal spacing of the pockets l8 may be varied but it is preferred to space the pockets substantial distances apart so that the individual wires leading to the coupler units H are easily accessible. If desired, vertical weight reducing openings l9 may be provided in the body webs occurring between the pockets Hi. The side walls of the body In have .horizontal openings communicating with the pockets |8.

requires. The coupler units H are preferably identical.

In accordance with the invention there is a plurality of openings 20 communicating with each side or end of each pocket l8. The corresponding openings 20 in the opposite walls of the body III are aligned and preferably of the same diameter. In the particular case illustrated there are three spaced openings 20 communicating with each end of each pocket l8, it being understood that there The lowermost openings 20 communicate with the lower parts of the pockets l8 and the uppermost openings communicate with the upper parts of the pockets. 7

The block body described above is preferably formed of a dielectric material. In practice the body it may be formed of a phenolic resin, Bakelite, hard rubber, porcelain or the equivalent. It

will be noted that the body l0 may be readilycast in the form of a one piece unit. In some applications of the invention a long strip having the pockets ill, openings 20, etc., may be initially formed and then cut into lengths or units having a selected number of pockets i8 and the end portions of these units may then be machined to have the attaching ears l8.

The coupler units I! serve to electrically and mechanically connect the wires of the pairs or' groups of wires that arebroughtinto theblock. The coupler units II are arranged in the pockets l8 and are retained in the pockets by the means If desired, a coupler unit |8may be provided in each pocket, but in certain applications the units may be arranged in selected pockets as the installation The coupler units II are vertically disposed generally rectangular element proportioned to be readily introduced into the upper ends of the pockets. As best illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawing, the units II have clearance with the end walls of the pockets Hi. The coupler unit H are constructed of relatively thin resilient material such as beryllium copper and may be plated with silver, or the like. The individual coupler units may be formed from a single length or blank of stock, but in the case illustrated, each unit embodies two mating or complementary sections 2| to facilitate the manufacture. Each section 2| has spaced horizontal grooves pressed or formed in its inner side. In the construction illustrated, three grooves are-formed in each section and the grooves of the associated sections oppose and communicate with one another to constitute elongate horizontal openings 22. The openings 22 extend between the opposite vertical edges of-the units I and are cylindrical and uniform in diameter. The upper and lower openings 22 of the units H are positioned so that the units II with the concave bottomv walls of the I pockets assists in centralizing the units in the pockets. The units II are proportioned so that their upper extremities lie in or slightly below the plane of the upper surface of the body l0 when the lower extremities of the units rest on the bottom walls of the pockets. The coupler units H are constructed so that their openings 22 are in registration with the corresponding openings 21) in the side walls of the body l0.

' The portions 24 of the coupler unit sections 2| between the endopenings 22 and the intermediate openings 22 are fiat and substantially vertical. The opposing surfaces of these fiat portion 24 are in engagement and lie in the same vertical planes as the abutting edges 23 of the sections 2|. The invention provides means for connecting the straight portions 24 so that there is substantially uniform resistance offered to the insertion of the tips l2 into the several openings 22 and so that the units I offer uniform or identical resistance to withdrawal of the tips. These means comprise securing members 25 connecting the straight portions 24. In practice the members 25 may be rivets. Two or more horizontally spaced rivets 25 connect each pair of straight portions 24. The rivets 2.5 lie in horizontal planes that are closer to the upper and lower openings 22 than they are to the intermediate openings 22. This is clearly shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4. The rivets 25 being in adjacent relation to the end openings 22, increase the gripping action of the units H at the end openings, thus compensating for the fact that there is nothing connecting the sections 2| at lower. openings 22.

.- of the units. The openings 26 are substantially rectangular and have active latch walls lying in planes normal to the longitudinal axes of the openings 22. The openings 26 are elongated vertically-to extend into the flat vertical portions 24. Similar openings 21 are provided in the upper and lower edge portions of the units II to communi cate; with or partially intersect the upper and The openings 21 are of the same width as the openings 26 and have vertical walls lying in the same planes as the vertical walls of the openings 26. v

The coupler pins or tips I2 are secured to the wire or conductors C that are to be engaged and connected in the block. The tips I2 arev simple, inexpensive parts and are preferably identical.

. the conductors C instead of being crimped thereon. The tips have portions 38 adapted to be received in. the side openings 28 of the block body I8 with sliding or working clearance. The parts 3| of the tips which extend inwardly from the portions 38 are reduced in diameter and are proportioned to be snugly or frictionally engaged in the Openings 22 of the coupler units I I. Heads 32 are provided on the inner ends of the tips I2. The heads 32 are adapted to snap or engage in the

openings

26 and 21 to releasably lock the tips in the coupler units I I. The heads 32 have rearwardly and laterally divergent surfaces terminating at rather abrupt shoulders 33. The tapered or rounded heads 32 are readily introduced into the openings 28 and their tapering or rounded configuration permits them to be forced into the openings 22 of the resilient coupler units II. As best illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawing, the heads 32 have a maximum diameter considerably greater than the normal diameter of the openings 22 so that the units i I are expended or flexed when the tips I2 are introduced into the units.

The tips I2 are pressed into the units I I until the heads 32 suddenly snap or engage in the

openings

26 and 21. The abrupt shoulders 33 at the bases of the heads 32 cooperate with th walls of the openings and 21 to dependably latch the tips in the coupler units. The heads 32 may have flat end faces that engage when the shoulders 33 cooperate with the walls of the openings 28 and 21. The electrical connection between the pairs or aligned tips I2 is maintained by the cooperation of the walls of the openings 22 with the tip parts 3I and the engagement of the heads with one another is not depended upon to preserve th electrical connection between the "tips. Shoulders 34 occur where the tip portions 38 join the reduced tip parts 3| and the shoulders 34 are engageable with the edges of the units II to limit the inward travel of the tips. The cooperation of the shoulders 34 with the edges of the units II prevents the tips I2 from displacing one another when the tips are engaged in the block.

The means l3 serve to cover the upper ends of the pockets I8 to protect the coupler units II and to retain the units in the block. The means I3 is in the nature of a closure or cover means and includes a cover plate 35. The cover plate 35 is an elongate rectangular part preferably of dielectric material. The upper side of the body I8 has a longitudinal groove 36 for receiving the cover plate 35.

' The outer portions of the tips I2 are in the nature 35 on the body I8.

, outwardly.

Clip means is provided to removably retain the cover plate 35 on the body I 8. A clip 31 is provided on each end of the body I8. The clips 31 are formed of spring steel, beryllium copper or the like. The clips 31 have feet 38 arranged against the upper sides of the ears I4 and the feet are provided with openings for receiving the bushings IS. The upper flanges I1 of the bushings I8 hold the feet 38 against the upper sidesof the ears I4. The clips 31 extend upwardly from the feet 38 and are provided at their upper ends with lugs or tongues 39 for inwardly from its opposite ends to a detent dimpic 43. The side parts H are adapted to straddle the upper portion of the block body. Inwardly protruding detent dimples 44 are provided on the side parts M and engage in sockets 45 in the sides of the body I8. The dimple 43 on the transverse part 42 is adapted to engage in an opening or socket 46 in the cover plate 35 to restrain the plate against longitudinal movement. Two or more of the clips 48 may be spaced along the body I8 to retain the cover plate 35 on the body. When the plate 35 is arranged in its groove 36, the clips '48 are pressed down over the body I8 so that their side parts H are sprung The clips are pressed downwardly until the detents 44 snap into the sockets 45, at which time the detent 43 engages the opening 46. The clips 48 dependably hold the cover plate 35 in position but may be easily and quickly removed from the body when it is desired to remove the cover plate.

Figure 7 illustrates another alternative form of clip 41 for removably holding the cover plate The clip 41 is adapted to straddle the upperportion of the body [8 being provided with downturned side parts 48 for extending downwardly at opposite sides of the body.

The upper transverse part of the clip 41 has a depressed portion 49 for bearing downwardly against the cover plate 35. Inturned detent parts or fingers 58 are provided on the lower ends of the side parts 49. The fingers 58 are adapted to engage in sockets or slots 5I in the sides of the body I8. Two or more clips 41 may be employed to hold the cover plate 35 in place. The clips 41 are merely pressed down over the body I8 until their fingers 58 snap into the slots 5|, at which time the depressed portions 48 .come into retaining engagement with the cover plate 35.

In using the connector block described above, the units II are readily inserted in the pockets I8 to automatically assume the positions where their openings 22 are aligned with the openings 28. The units II may be installed in all of the pockets or in selected pockets as the conditions of use may'require. The cover plate 35 is applied to the body I8 and secured in place by the clips 31. 48 or 41, as the case may be.

When it is desired to electrically connect two or more conductors C the tips I2 of the conductors are merely inserted into a selected unit II.

22 to finally snap into the

openings

26 and 21.

1 As described above, the heads 32 cooperate with the

openings

26 and 21 to dependably retain the tips in the units l I. It is to be observed that the several conductors C of a given set or group may all be inserted into one side of the block, or may be inserted into both sides of the block. The gang's or groups of conductors C electrically connected by the coupler units ii, are fullyinsulated one from the other, and the individual conductors of each group are dependably maintained in elec- .trical connection. If it is desired to provide identifying designations for the several groups or sets of conductors, numerals 65-may be provided on the top of the block body iii over the spaced vertical rows of openings 20. The numerals 65 are not required and are optional.

When it is desired to disconnect a conductor C its tip I2 is merely pulled from the connector block. The coupler units ll dependably connect and retain the tips 32, but the tips may be readily withdrawn by applying a sudden pull. It is to be observed that the individual conductors C may be disconnected from the block and that the disconnection of a conductor does not necessitate the removal or disturbing of the other conductors. If it becomes necessary to replace a coupler unit H, the conductor tips i2 engaged in that particular unit are removed and the cover plate 35 is detached from the body it to make the unit ii accessible. The faulty unit it may be readily withdrawn from its pocket in and a new or replacement unit ii may be inserted. In this way the connector block may be easily serviced. It is to be observed that the. conductors C may be connected and disconnected without employing toolsand that the units it may be inserted, withdrawn and replaced without the use I of tools.

Figures 8 and 9 of the drawing show the connector block embodying coupler means for electrically and mechanically connecting ,pairs of straight-through conductors. The body iii and the means l3 may be the same as in the previously described form of the invention. In the construction illustrated in Figures 8 and 9., one or more tubular resilient coupler units 58 are provided in each pocket 18. The units 53 are elongate tubular members of relatively thin flexible resilient metal. The units 53 are split longitudinally to be expansible radially. Each tubular unit 53 has two spaced circumferentially extending slots or openings 5d intersecting its split. The units 53 are flanged or enlarged at their opposite ends and the enlargements have a greater diameter than the openings 20 so that the units cannot be displaced through the openings.

The coupler units 53 are supported in the pock-= ets 18 to be in alignment with the corresponding openings 20 and to be efi'ectively insulated one from the other. The lowermost units 53 rest on the concave lower walls of the pockets it. The engagement with the concave bottom walls of the pockets assist in holding the units in alignment with the lowermost openings at. Spacers lie of dielectric material are arranged on the upper sides of the lower units 53. The spacers 55 have cylindrically concaved lower faces for conforming to the cylindrical units 53. The coupler units 53 for registering with the intermediate body openings 20 rest on the spacers 55. The upper sides of the spacers 55 are cylindrically concaved to conform to the units 53 and to assist in aligning larged ends of the units 53 protrude from the.

ends of the spacers 55 and 66 and may have limited clearance with the end walls of the pockets l8. Th uppermost units 53 may be engaged by the'cover plate 35.0r may lie immediately below the cover plate.

The conductors C are provided with tips 5! for engaging or latching in the coupler units The tips El have sockets 58 soldered or crimped on the exposed end portions of the conductors C. Part5 as extend forwardly from the sockets it and are proportioned to slidably fit the openings at of the body Hi. Reduced portions to continue forwardly from the parts 59 and have annular enlargements St at their ends. The sides or sur- '1 posing tips are releasably latched together by the cooperation of their surfaces E3.

. In employing the connector or" Figures 8 and 9. the assemblies of superimposed units 63 and spacers and 5t arereadily inserm l'in the pool:- ets 558. These assemblies may be arranged in as many pockets it as the particular installation The cover plate Sit is applied to the pockets. When a pair of straight-through conductors is to be connected, the tips iii are merely pushed or pressed into the opposite ends of a selected unit 53. In performing this operation, the two tips 57 are positioned so that the surfaces 63 of their tongues 52 will come into contact. Figure 9 illustrates the manner in which the tips st are handled to bring their tongues 62 into proper engagement. When the tips bl are thrust into the unit 53 the enlargements ti snap into the openings 54 to dependably latch or retain the tips in the positions where the surfaces 53 arein contact to maintain electrical contact between the conductors C. The unit 53 closely engages about the portions and, tongues {52, and forms an electrical coupling between the two tips 51..

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, a multiplicity of pairs of in-line or straight-through conductors C may be readily connected and each pair of conductors is maintained electrically separate from each other pair.

If desired, tips I! such as illustrated in Figure 3 may be used in the connector block of Figures 8 and 9. When the tips I: are used in conjunction with the device of Figures 8 and 9, the openings 54? are omitted from the units 533 and openings similar to the openings 25 are provided in the units 53 midway between their ends to receive the heads 32.

Having described only typical forms of the invention, I do not wish to be limited to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A device for connecting a plurality of elecfor the reception of said tips and extending to the pockets there being at least one set of openings extending to any given pocket, a coupler introduced into each pocket from its upper end, each coupler comprising two resilient sections connected together in face to face relation, the

opposing faces of the sections having registering grooves forming openings which register with the first named openings for frictionally receiving said tips, and axially facing shoulders on the ating with said shoulders on the tips to resist withdrawal of the tips.

2. A connector block for connecting electrical clips on the body for engaging the end portions of the cover to removably retain the cover on the body.

4. A connector block for electrically and mechanically connecting conductors having tips provided with shoulders comprising an elongate body having longitudinally spaced pockets entering its upper end and having longitudinally spaced sets of vertically spaced openings in its opposite sides communicating with the pockets .for receiving said conductor tips, coupling units'removably inserted in the pockets and having sets of vertically spaced openings communicating with the first named openings, for receiving said conductor tips,

I walls of said openings in the couplers fOr cooper- I conductors having tips, said block including a I body having a vertical pocket entering its upper end and having spaced horizontal openings extending through it from one side to the other and intersecting said pocket, and a coupler unit inserted into the pocket from its upper end and supported on the bottom wall of the pocket, the coupler unit comprising two resilient parts connected in face to face relation, the opposing faces of said parts having opposing grooves which register to form openings for receiving said tips, the supporting engagement of said bottom wall of the pocket with the coupler unit serving to position the coupler unit where the second named openings are aligned with said horizontal openings.

3. A device for facilitating the connection of electrical conductors having tips comprising a body of dielectric material having spaced pockets entering its upper end and having spaced sets of spaced openings entering it from at least one side and extending to the pockets for receiving said tips. there being at least one set of openings extending to any given pocket, resilient coupling units contained in the tips, a cover on the upper end of the body for closing the outer ends of the pockets, and spring pockets for receiving said spaced axially facing shoulders on the walls of the second named openings for latching with the shoulders of said tips, a cover for closing the upper ends of the pockets, and means for retaining the cover on the body.

5. A connector for facilitating the connecting of electrical conductors comprising a body having a pocket extending downwardly from its upper end and having vertically spaced openings extending from its opposite sides to the pocket for receiving said conductors, a coupler removably inserted in the pocket and supported on the bottom wall thereof, and having spaced openings communicating with the first named openings for receiving said conductors, the engagement of the coupler with the bottom wall of the Docket serving to position the coupler where its openings register with said first named openings, and means for covering. the pocket and retaining the coupler therein.

6. A connector block for facilitating the connecting of electrical conductors including a body having spaced sulstantially vertical pockets entering its upper end and spaced substantially horizontal openings extending from its opposite sides to the pockets for receiving said conductors, couplers removably inserted downwardly into the pockets and resting on the bottom walls thereof, each coupler having spaced openings communicating with the said openings of the body for receiving said conductors, and a removable cover plate on the body closing the upper ends of the pockets.

DOUGLAS K. ROLLOW.