US3577114A

US3577114A - Connecting device

Info

Publication number: US3577114A
Application number: US884564A
Authority: US
Inventors: William M Hawkins
Original assignee: Thomas and Betts Corp
Current assignee: ABB Installation Products Inc
Priority date: 1969-12-12
Filing date: 1969-12-12
Publication date: 1971-05-04
Anticipated expiration: 1988-05-04

Abstract

An insulated, sealable, connecting device for mechanically and electrically releasably coupling at least two conductors to provide a substantially watertight assembly, comprising, in combination, an insulated, electrically conductive body member having at least two apertures therethrough, at least two selectively bored, partially insulated, conductor-receiving stubs adapted to be releasably engaged therein, at least two threaded fastening means adapted to releasably couple an associated stub within the apertured conductive body member, and at least two first and at least two second resilient sealing means to provide sealing engagement between, respectively, the conductive body member and an associated stub, and the conductive body member and an associated fastening means.

Description

United States Patent [72] Inventor William M. Hawkins Scotch Plains, NJ.

[21] Appl. No. 884,564

[22] Filed Dec. 12, 1969 [45] Patented May 4, 1971 [73] Assignee Thomas & Betts Corporation Elizabeth, NJ.

[54] CONNECTING DEVICE 2,087,384 7/1937 Lee 2,403,642 7/1946 Draxler ABSTRACT: An insulated, sealable, connecting device for mechanically and electrically releasably coupling at least two conductors to provide a substantially watertight assembly, comprising, in combination, an insulated, electrically conductive body member having at least two apertures therethrough, at least two selectively bored, partially insulated, conductorreceiving stubs adapted to be releasably engaged therein, at least two threaded fastening means adapted to releasably couple an associated stub within the apertured conductive body member, and at least two first and at least two second resilient sealing means to provide sealing engagement between, respectively, the conductive body member and an associated stub, and the conductive body member and an associated fastening means.

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WILLIAM M. HAWKINS v Z ATTORNEY PATENTEDHAY 4|97| 3577114 sum 3 or a v I NVIZN'IOR.

WILLIAM HAWKINS FIG. .9 Q

A T TORNE Y 1 CONNECTING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION andprincipally to insulated, sealable, connecting devices adapted to provide a substantially watertight, releasable conductive assembly between a plurality of insulated electrical conductors, for direct burial, overhead outdoor powerline applications and the like.

2. Description of the Prior Art Prior art devices for interconnecting a plurality of electrical conductors for use under adverse environmental conditions utilized various post-insulation procedures in an attempt to obtain a relatively moisture-resistant insulated connection therebetween. By way of example, the bared end of an insulated conductor is inserted within an aperture in a conductive bar or the like, and secured therein. The exposed portion of the connection and the opening thereabout is thereafter covered either with insulating tape or a heat shrinkable insulating material in an attempt to protect the exposed uninsu- Ited portions and the mating connection against the deleterious effects of the surrounding environment, resulting in an operation that is time consuming, tedious, and uneconomical, and requiring the services of a relatively skilled specialist. There is little assurance that the completed connection is not defective, in which event the joint is subject to attack and I rapid deterioration. Additionally, the individual conductors are not readily releasable, the removal of the insulating material circumferentially disposed about the connection being required to effect a proper disassembly thereof. Further, means for protecting an unused'aperture within the conductive bar are generally crude and inefficient, requiring either taping the exposed opening of the aperture, or inserting a protective compound therein, which compound must be completely removed before the associated aperture may be used, otherwise an improper electrical connection will be achieved therein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes the difficulties noted above with respect to known prior art devices by providing an improved connecting device which is structurally safer, less expensive, and more reliable and convenient than such devices. Firstly, an electrically insulated conductive body portion of the device has at least two uninsulated apertures therein in spaced-apart relationship, each of which communicates with a first and a second surface of the conductive body portion, resulting in a first and a second opening, respectively, each aperture being proportioned to receive therein a threaded second end of an associated stub. A first resilient sealing means and a second resilient sealing means are disposed, respectively, substantially circumjacent an associated first and an associated second opening in the conductive body portion. A recessed portion may be provided circumjacent each first opening to accommodate at least partially therewithin the first sealing means. Similarly, a raised portion circumjacent each second opening may be provided to accommodate at least partially thereabout the second sealing means. A second end of a stub inserted within its associated aperture in theconductive body portion may be releaseably coupled therewithin by means of an electrically insulated threaded fastening means releasably engaging the threaded portion thereof. The first and the second sealing means provide sealing engagement between, respectively, the first surface of the conductive body portion and an adjacent surface of a stub, and the second surface of the conductive body portion and an adjacent surface of a threaded fastener. The threaded fastener may be internally or externally threaded to releasably engage, respectively, an externally or internally threaded stub. A groove circumferentially disposed about a first surface of the threaded fastener may be provided to at least partially accommodate therewithin a second resilient sealing means.

The walls defining an aperture in the conductive body portion may be tapered along at least a portion thereof, and the second end of a stub maybe correspondingly tapered, to provide intimate engagement therebetween upon the insertion of the second end therewithin. An internally threaded second end of a stub may be slotted to provide a plurality ofgenerally resilient, spreadable portions deformable outwardly within an associated tapered aperture in the conductive body portion upon the insertion and threaded advancement of a conically contoured, externally threaded portion of a threaded fastener therewithin.

A conductor-receiving portion coupled to the first end of the stub has a substantially elongate aperture therein adapted to receive one end of a conductor therewithin. The conductorreceiving portion may be collapsible, to provide electrical and mechanical engagement between the walls defining the elongate aperture and a bared portion of the inserted conductor. An outer electrically insulating portion may be disposed about the conductor-receiving portion, to provide a protective covering thereby. The threaded fastening means may be electrically insulated, resulting in a completely insulated and sealed assembly. It is therefore an' object of this invention to provide an improved connecting device.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved connecting device having an apertured conductive body portion for releasably receiving at least two threaded stubs therein. I

It is yet another object of this invention to provide an improved connecting device having at least two threaded fastening means each adapted to releasably couple an associated stub within an apertured conductive body portion.

lt is a further object of this invention to provide an improved connecting device having at least two first, resilient sealing means, each providing sealing engagement between a first surface of a conductive body portion and an adjacent surface of a stub, and at least two second, resilient sealing means, each providing sealing engagement between a second surface of a conductive body portion and an adjacent surface of a threaded fastening means.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide an improved connecting device having a substantially insulated, conductive body portion.

Other objects and features of the invention will be pointed out in the following description and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which disclose, by way of example, the principles of the invention, and the best modes which have been contemplated for carrying them out.

BRIEF DESCRlPTlON OF THE DRAWlNGS ln the drawings in which similar elements are given similar reference characters:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view, partly in cross section, of a connecting device constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention and illustrating a plurality of conductors attached thereto.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a connecting device constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, including the assembly of a plurality of conductors thereto.

HO. 3 is an exploded cross-sectional view of a coupling portion and part of a modified form of the conductive body portion of the connecting device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an exploded, cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an assembly of the elements of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of still another embodiment of a connecting device constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a coupling portion of the connectingdevice of HO. 2 rotated from the position shown therein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Turning now to FIG. 1, there is shown a first embodiment of a connecting device 20 constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention. Connecting device 20 comprises an insulated conductive body portion 24 having a plurality of apertures 64 extending therethrough, each terminating in an associated first opening at a first surface 26, and in an associated second opening at a second surface 28. An internally threaded second end 36 of stub 30 is proportioned to extend within its associated aperture 68, and is releasably coupled therein by engagement with the threaded extending portion 48 of an electrically insulated threaded fastening means such as screw 32. Coupled to a first end of stub 30 is an electrically in sulated conductor-receiving portion 34 having a substantially elongate aperture 40 therein for receiving the bared end 62 of an insulated conductor 60. The walls 38 defining aperture 64 in conductive body portion 24 are preferably but not necessarily tapered to wedgingly engage the associated second end 36 of stub 30 to provide intimate mechanical and electrical contact therebetween. First sealing means 42 is disposed substantially circumjacent stub 30 and intermediate conductorreceiving portion 34 and first surface 26 of body portion 24, providing sealing engagement therebetween. A recessed portion 52 generally circumjacent its associated first opening in first surface 26 is provided to at least partially accommodate therein first sealing means 42. Head portion 46 of threaded fastening means 32 has a groove 50 circumferentially disposed about a first surface thereof for at least partially accommodating therein second sealing means 44, thereby providing sealing engagement between head portion 46 and the second surface 28 of body portion 24. A raised portion 58 is disposed generally circumjacent its associated second opening in second surface 28 of body portion 24, to at least partially accommodate thereabout second sealing means 44. A substantially moistureproof completely insulated, rigidly secured and conveniently releasable electrical connection is thereby produced. Alternatively, the area immediately adjacent both a first opening and a second opening in, respectively, first surface 26 and second surface 28 may be raised, as illustrated in FIG. 3 wherein a first raised portion 94 is substantially circumjacent its associated first opening in first surface 96 of conductive body portion 90, and a second raised portion 58 is substantially circumjacent an associated second opening in second surface 98 of body portion 911. Similarly, recessed portion 52 and raised portion 58 of FIG. 1 may be interchanged as illustrated in FIG. 8 wherein a first raised portion 112 is substantially circumjacent its associated first opening in first surface 110 of body portion 104, and a second recessed portion 114 is substantially circumjacent an associated second opening in second surface 108 of body portion 104. In like manner,

the area immediately adjacent both a first opening and a second opening caused by an associated aperture may be recessed, as illustrated in FIG. 6, wherein first recessed portion 52 is substantially circumjacent its associated first opening in first surface 118 of body portion 116, and a second recessed portion 114 is substantially circumjacent its associated second opening in second surface 120 of body portion 116. In practice, a bared end 62 of conductor 60 is inserted within aperture 40 of stub 30, and retained therewithin by means of crimping, as shown in FIG. 9, or cementing, soldering or the like. Threaded extending portion 36 of stub 30 is inserted within an aperture 64 through an associated first opening in conductive body portion 24, first sealing means 42 being interposed between the insulated first surface 26 of body portion 24 and an adjacent surface of conductor-receiving portion 34, and partially accommodated within an associated recessed portion 52. The threaded extending portion- 48 of threaded fastening means such as screw 34 is inserted within aperture 64 through an associated second opening in second surface 28 of body portion 24, and threadably engages the internally threaded portion 36 of stub 30. Second sealing means 44, interposed between a first surface of head portion 46 of threaded fastening means 32 and an adjacent second surface 28 of body portion 24, and about a raised portion 58 thereof, is compressively engaged therebetween and partially secured within groove 50 in head portion 46 of threaded fastening means 32, providinga seal between head portion 46 and a portion of the second surface 26 adjacent thereof, upon the tightening of threaded fastening means 32 within the internally threaded portion 36 of its associated stub 30. Disassembly is effected rapidly and simply, when desired, merely by releasing threaded fastening means 32 from threaded engagement with stub 30. An insulated stub, 31, in cooperation with a threaded fastening means such as screw 32, may be provided to protectively seal aperture 64 when not used as a connecting point in a particular application. Stub 31 may be internally threaded to receive therein the externally threaded portion 48 of fastening means 32. Seals such as 42 and 44 may be employed as described above. Thus, unused aperture 64 is effectively sealed against outside contamination, and is available for immediate use as a standard connecting point upon the removal of stub 31 therefrom. It should be understood that threaded extending portion 37 of stub 31 may be proportioned to intimately engage the inner surface of the walls 38 defining aperture 64, although such a configuration is not necessary to produce an effective seal.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 7, another embodiment of a connecting device constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention is shown. Connecting device 22 comprises an insulated conductive body portion 86 having a plurality of generally L-shaped apertures 70 extending therein, each terminating in an associated first opening at a first surface 66, and at an associated second opening at a second surface 68, substantially normal to first surface 66. A plurality of stubs 72, each having an insulated, apertured conductorreceiving portion 76 coupled to a first end'thereof, and a threaded portion 74 proportioned to extend within an associated aperture 70 in body portion 86, are provided to couple an associated conductor 60 to conductive body portion 86. The threaded extending portion 48 of screw 32 is provided to threadably engage the threaded portion 56 of an associated stub 7 2. As may be better seen in FIG. 7, threaded aperture 56 in the threaded extending portion 74 of stub 72 is axially oriented substantially normal to the longitudinal axis thereof, and is adapted to threadably receive the threaded extending portion 48 of its associated screw 32 therein. First and second sealing means, 42 and 44, respectively, in cooperation with recessed portion 82 and raised portion 84, provide sealing engagement substantially as described with respect to FIG. 1. A threaded aperture in the threaded extending portion (not shown) of stub 88 is formed substantially as shown with respect to threaded extending portion 74 of stub 72 and is similarly adapted to threadably receive a threaded fastening means such as screw 32, to provide a protective seal for an unused connecting point in a manner substantially as described with respect to

elements

31 and 32 in FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5 there is shown a further embodiment of a connecting device stub and threaded fastening means. Stub has an extending internally threaded portion 176 coupled to a second end thereof and longitudinally slotted to provide a plurality of resilient spreadable portions 152. Coupled to head portion 146 of threaded fastening means 144 is a substantially conical threaded extending portion 148 adapted to engage the internally threaded portion 176 of stub 150 and to outwardly deform the resilient spreadable portions 152 thereof upon the tightening of threaded fastening means 144 therein. As may be better seen in FIG. 5, resilient spreadableportions 152 of stubl50 are caused to defonn outwardly within aperture 174 in body portion 160, and against the inner wall 168 defining aperture 174, upon the insertion and advance'ment of the conical threaded portion 148 of threaded fastening means 144 therein, resulting in wedging engagement between the resilient spreadable portions 152' and the adjacent surface of wall 168.

Referring now to P16. 6, a further embodiment of a connecting'device stub and threaded fastening means is shown. Extending portion 126 coupled to a second end of stub 124 has an externally threaded portion 178 adjacent thereof. An internally threaded portion 138 within ahead portion 136 of a threaded fastening means 134 is proportioned to threadably engage threaded portion 178 of stub 124 to releasably couple stub 124 within an associated aperture in conductive body portion 116. First and second sealing means, 42 and 44 respectively, provide sealing engagement substantially as described with respect to similar elements in FIG. 1.

lclaim:

1. A connecting device comprising: a conductive body portion having at least two apertures in spaced-apartrelationship extending between a first surface of said bodyportion and a second surface ofsaid body portion; at least two stubs, one for each of said apertures in said body portion, each of said stubs being proportioned to extend within its associated aperture; at least two threaded fastening means, one for each of said stubs, for releasably coupling its associated stub to said body portion; a first sealing means positioned adjacent said firstsurface of said body portion circumjacent the opening in said first surface caused by said aperture, and intermediate said stub and said body portion; and a second sealing meanspositioned adjacent said second surface of said body portion circumjacent the opening in said second surface caused by said aperture, and intermediate said threaded fastening means of said body portion.

' 2. A connecting device as defined in claim 1 wherein said body portion further comprises an electrically insulating outer portion disposed substantially thereabout, said insulating outer portion having entry apertures for each of said apertures in said body portion in alignment therewith.

3. A connecting device as defined in claim 1 wherein said conductive body portion has a recessed portion substantially circumjacent an associated first opening in said first surface of said body portion to accommodate at least partially therein one of said first sealing means.

- 4. A connecting device as defined in claim 1 further comprising a generally raised portion substantially circumjacent an associated second opening in said second surface of said body portion to accommodate at least partially thereabout one of said second sealing means.

5. A connecting device as defined in claim 1 wherein said conductive body portion has a recessed portionsubstantially circumjacent an associated second opening in said second surface of said body portion to accommodate at least partially therein a second sealing means.

6. A connecting device as defined in claim 1 further comprising a generally raised portion substantially circumjacent an associated first opening in said first surface of said body portion to accommodate at least partially thereabout a first sealing means.

7. A connecting device as defined in claim 1 wherein said conductive body portion has a recessed portion substantially circumjacent an associated second opening in said second surface of said body portion to accommodate at least partially therein a second sealing means and further comprises a generally raised portion substantially circumjacent an associated first opening in said first surface of said body portion to accommodate at least partially thereabout a first sealing means.

, 8. A connecting device as defined in claim 1 wherein said conductive body portion has a first recessed portion substantially circumjacent an associated first opening in said first surface of said body portion, and a second recessed portion substantially circumjacent an associated second-opening in said second surface of said body portion, said first recessed portion adapted to accommodate at least partially therein, a first seal ing'means, and said second recessed portion adapted to accommodate at least partially therein a second sealing means.

9. A connecting device as defined in claim 1 wherein said conductive body portion further comprises a generally raised first portion substantially circumjacent an associated opening in said first surface of said body portion, and a generally raised second portion substantially circumjacent an associated opening in said second surface of said body portion, said first raised portion adapted to accommodate at least partially thereabout a first sealing means, and said second raised portion similarly adapted to accommodate at least partially thereabout a second sealing means. 4

10. A connecting device as defined in claim 1 wherein said threaded fastening means is electrically insulated.

.11. A connecting device as defined in claim '1 wherein at least one of said stubs has a conductor-receivingportion coupled to a first end thereofto receive one end of a conductor inserted therein, said stub having a threadedportion adjacent a second end thereof, for receiving one of said threaded fastening means in releasable engagement.

12. A connecting device as defined in claim 11 further comprising an electrical insulation portion substantially about an outer surface of said conductor-receiving portion of said stub.

13. A connecting device as defined in claim 11 wherein said second end of at least one of said stubs is substantially tapered, and wherein the walls defining an associated aperture in said body portion are tapered along at least a portion thereof, for receiving therein in intimate engagement said tapered second end of said stub.

14. A connecting device as defined in claim 11 wherein said conductor-receiving portion has a substantially elongate aperture therein, terminating at an outer surface thereof, for receiving one end of a conductor therewithin.

15. A connecting device as defined in claim l4 wherein said conductor-receiving portion is at least partially collapsible, providing locking engagement between the walls defining said elongate aperture and a conductor inserted therewithin.

16. A connecting device as defined in claim 11 wherein each of said stubs is internally threaded, and each of said threaded fastening means has a head portion and a threaded extending portion, to threadably engage said internally threaded portion of its associated stub.

17. A connecting device as defined in claim 16 wherein said headportion of each of said threaded fastening means has a groove circumferentially disposed about a first surface thereof to at least partially accommodate therein one of said second sealing means.

18. A connecting device as defined in claim 16 wherein said internally threaded portion of each of said stubs has a plurality of resilient, spreadable portions axially oriented longitudinally thereof and each of said threaded fastening means has a substantially conical threaded extending portion coupled to said 'head portion wherein said resilient, spreadable portions of each of said internally threaded stubs are deformed outwardly within said aperture of said body portion and againstthe walls defining said aperture upon the insertion of said conical threaded extending portion of said threaded fastening means within said internally threaded portion and the advancing of said conical threaded extending portion therein.

19. A connecting device as defined in claim 18 wherein said head portion of each of said threaded fastening means has a groove circumferentially disposed about a first surface thereof, adjacent said threaded conical extending portion, to at least partially accommodate therewithin said secondsealing means.

20. A connecting device as defined in claim l8wherein said walls defining each of said apertures in said body portion are tapered along at least a portion thereof, said tapered aperture having its smaller lateral dimension substantially adjacent said first surface of said body portion, said resilient, spreadable portions of said stub deforming outwardly in conformation with said inner surface of said tapered aperture upon the advancement of said substantially conical threaded extending 8 therein to threadably engage said externally threaded portion of its associated stub.

22. A connecting device as defined in claim 21 wherein each of said head portions of each of said threaded fastening I means has a groove circumfe'rentially disposed about a first surface thereof adjacent said internally threaded portion, to at least partially accommodate therewithin one of said second sealing means.

Claims

1. A connecting device comprising: a conductive body portion having at least two apertures in spaced-apart relationship extending between a first surface of said body portion and a second surface of said body portion; at least two stubs, one for each of said apertures in said body portion, each of said stubs being proportioned to extend within its associated aperture; at least two threaded fastening means, one for each of said stubs, for releasably coupling its associated stub to said body portion; a first sealing means positioned adjacent said first surface of said body portion circumjacent the opening in said first surface caused by said aperture, and intermediate said stub and said body portion; and a second sealing means positioned adjacent said second surface of said body portion circumjacent the opening in said second surface caused by said aperture, and intermediate said threaded fastening means of said body portion.

2. A connecting device as defined in claim 1 wherein said body portion further comprises an electrically insulating outer portion disposed substantially thereabout, said insulating outer portion having entry apertures for each of said apertures in said body portion in alignment therewith.

4. A connecting device as defined in claim 1 further comprising a generally raised portion substantially circumjacent an associated second opening in said second surface of said body portion to accommodate at least partially thereabout one of said second sealing means.

5. A connecting device as defined in claim 1 wherein said conductive body portion has a recessed portion substantially circumjacent an associated second opening in said second surface of said body portion to accommodate at least partially therein a second sealing means.

8. A connecting device as defined in claim 1 wherein said conductive body portion has a first recessed portion substantially circumjacent an associated first opening in said first surface of said body portion, and a second recessed portion substantially circumjacent an associated second opening in said second surface of said body portion, said first recessed portion adapted to accommodate at least partially therein a first sealing means, and said second recessed portion adapted to accommodate at least partially therein a second sealing means.

9. A connecting device as defined in claim 1 wherein said conductive body portion further comprises a generally raised first portion substantially circumjacent an associated opening in said first surface of said body portion, and a generally raised second portion substantially circumjacent an associated opening in said second surface of said body portion, said first raised portion adapted to accommodate at least partially thereabout a first sealing means, and said second raised portion similarly adapted to accommodate at least partially thereabout a second sealing means.

11. A connecting device as defined in claim 1 wherein at least one of said stubs has a conductor-receiving portion coupled to a first end thereof to receive one end of a conductor inserted therein, said stub having a threaded portion adjacent a second end thereof, for receiving one of said threaded fastening means in releasable engagement.

15. A connecting device as defined in claim 14 wherein said conductor-receiving portion is at least partially collapsible, providing locking engagement betweEn the walls defining said elongate aperture and a conductor inserted therewithin.

17. A connecting device as defined in claim 16 wherein said head portion of each of said threaded fastening means has a groove circumferentially disposed about a first surface thereof to at least partially accommodate therein one of said second sealing means.

18. A connecting device as defined in claim 16 wherein said internally threaded portion of each of said stubs has a plurality of resilient, spreadable portions axially oriented longitudinally thereof and each of said threaded fastening means has a substantially conical threaded extending portion coupled to said head portion wherein said resilient, spreadable portions of each of said internally threaded stubs are deformed outwardly within said aperture of said body portion and against the walls defining said aperture upon the insertion of said conical threaded extending portion of said threaded fastening means within said internally threaded portion and the advancing of said conical threaded extending portion therein.

19. A connecting device as defined in claim 18 wherein said head portion of each of said threaded fastening means has a groove circumferentially disposed about a first surface thereof, adjacent said threaded conical extending portion, to at least partially accommodate therewithin said second sealing means.

20. A connecting device as defined in claim 18 wherein said walls defining each of said apertures in said body portion are tapered along at least a portion thereof, said tapered aperture having its smaller lateral dimension substantially adjacent said first surface of said body portion, said resilient, spreadable portions of said stub deforming outwardly in conformation with said inner surface of said tapered aperture upon the advancement of said substantially conical threaded extending portion therein, thereby providing wedging engagement between said resilient, spreadable portions and said inner surface of said walls defining said tapered aperture.

21. A connecting device as defined in claim 11 wherein said second end of at least one of said stubs is at least partially externally threaded, and at least one of said threaded fastening means has a head portion and an internally threaded portion therein to threadably engage said externally threaded portion of its associated stub.

22. A connecting device as defined in claim 21 wherein each of said head portions of each of said threaded fastening means has a groove circumferentially disposed about a first surface thereof adjacent said internally threaded portion, to at least partially accommodate therewithin one of said second sealing means.