US3592957A - Explosion connector - Google Patents

Abstract

An explosion connector for joining wires, cables, and the like, including an inner deformable shell having a bore with at least one opening into the bore to receive the wires, cables, and the like, a generally nondeformable outer shell, and an explosive located in a chamber between the shells. The outer generally nondeformable shell is folded over the inner deformable shell at the opening into the inner shell to seal the explosive-containing chamber.

Description

United States Patent 1 13,592,957

[72] inventor David T. James [56] References Cited Kali UNITED STATES PATENTS [211 P 5,508 3,364,304 H1868 Modrey 174 94 [221 Fl'ed P 91 9 3,483,311 12/1969 McDonald 174/87 D1v1s10n 0i Ser \o. 827.139. Ma 21. l96 3.4833 l2 12/1969 McDonald et al" 174/87 abandoned, which is a contlnuation of S No, 612,655. Jan. 26, 1970 Primary Examiner- Darrell L. Clay Patented Juy 3 971 AttorneyParker,Carter& Markey 9 [73] Assignee Ideal Industries, Inc.

ABSTRACT: An explosion connector for joining wires, ca- EXPLOSION C( )NNI CTOR bles, and the like, including an inner deformable shell having a I Chimflnnwmg bore with at least one opening into the bore to receive the [S2] U.S.CI 174/87, wires, cables, and the like, a generally nondeformable outer 29/628, 174/94 R,339/276E shell, and an explosive located in a chamber between the [5 1] Int. Cl H02g 15/08 shells. The outer generally nondeformable shell is folded over 0 "p k f u 174/87, the inner deformable shell at the opening into the inner shell 341 9 339 275 E, 7 5 37 to seal the explosive-containing chamber.

EXPLOSION CONNECTOR This is a division of application, Ser. No. 827,130, filed May 21, 1969, which'was a continuation of application, Ser. No. 612,655, filed Jan. 30, l967,and now abandoned.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention is concerned with an explosion connector for wires, cables, and the like and more specifically with a connector using an inner deformable shell and an outer generally nondeformable shell.

Objects may be found in the following specification, claims, and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is illustrated more or less diagrammatically in I the following drawings wherein:

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a connector ll of this invention intended for joining two or more wires, rods or cables, and the like together in like or unlike combinations in a crimping relationship. The connector 11 includes a cap 13 of insulating material such as plastic having a generally central bore 15.closed at one end by a wall 17 and having an opening 19 at the opposite end thereof. The cap includes an integral diverging funnel-shaped member 21 leading to the opening 19. Positioned inside the bore of cap 13 is a metal shell 23 having a central bore 25 which may be closed at one end by a wall 27 and which has an opening 29 at the op posite end thereof with the walls and openings of the cap and shell respectively positioned adjacent one another. Shell 23 is formed so that it is generally nondeformable.

A second shell 31, preferably more deformable than the first shell, is positioned inside the bore 25 ofthe first shell. The second may be made more deformable than the first shell through the use of a material having a lower elastic limit than the material of the first shell, or through the use of a thinner material, or through the use of a material having a configuration more conducive to deformation.

The second shell is also formed with a central bore 32 which is open at least at one end thereof with .this opening 33 being positioned adjacent the opening 29 of the outer shell 23. The bore 32 is made sufficiently large in cross section to receive wires 34 and 35, shown in FIG. 2, positioned side by side in overlapping relation. The opposite end of the shell 31 may be closed by a wall 36. At least a portion of the shell 31 is spaced inwardly of shell 23 to provide a chamber or cavity 37 between the shells. This chamber or cavity is sealed adjacent the opening of the shells at 39. Sealing of the chamber is accomplished as shown in the drawings by bending the outer the defiagrating type and may be gunpowder of the doublebase" type, which contains nitrocellulose and nitroglycerin or may be straight nitrocellulose. This type of explosive is readily ignited by a spark or a flame or other source of heat but not by an ordinary shock as might be produced by dropping the connector on a hard surface such as a floor. A detonating type of explosive ma also be used but would require a thicker externa shell 23 or the same amount of deformation of the inner and outer shells. The explosive may be selected to be initiated by shock, spark, flame, heat, friction, or electricity to suit a specific designed purpose. Explosive combinations may include detonating, deflagrating, and priming mixtures in various proportions or any two of the foregoing may be used as the end use, commercial considerations, and manufacturing case may dictate. The amount of explosive charge may be varied depending upon the cross-sectional areas of the wires to be connected, but it should be sufficient, upon explosion, to deform the inner shell 31 into wire-crimping contact with the smallest combined cross-sectional area of wires proposed to be connected.

A primer 45 for igniting the explosive 43 is located in the chamber 37 and in contact with the explosive. Conductors 47 and 49 may be provided to extend from the primer to the ex terior of the connector 11 through openings (not shown) in the shell 31 or through the joint at the open end 33 of the shell 31. The conductors 47 and 49 may be connected respectively to a source of electrical energy such as a battery 55. This circuit may be closed by a switch 57 to ignite the primer.

The use, operation, and function of this invention are as follows:

The explosion connector 11 of this invention is designed to prevent blowout of the chamber 37 upon ignition of the explosive 43. The folded portion of the outer shell resists deformation while not interfering with the deformation of the inner shell.

While a preferred form of the invention has been shown and described herein, it should be understood that suitable additions, alterations, and variations may be made without departing from the inventions fundamental theme. The scope of the invention should be limited only by the claim attached hereto.

I claim:

1. A connector for joining at least two wires or the like, including:

a deformable inner member having a central bore adapted to receive at least two wires or the like in overlapping side-by-side relationship,

at least one opening into said bore,

a generally, nondeformable member enclosing and spaced from at least a portion of said deformable member to fonn a chamber therebetween,

said outer generally nondeformable member being turned in over the edge of said deformable member to form a seal for said chamber,

an explosive in said chamber and of sufficient quantity, when exploded, to deform said deformable member into physical contact with said wires and said wires into crimping engagement with one another, and

means to ignite said explosive.

Claims (1)

1. A connector for joining at least two wires or the like, including: a deformable inner member having a central bore adapted to receive at least two wires or the like in overlapping side-byside relationship, at least one opening into said bore, a generally, nondeformable member enclosing and spaced from at least a portion of said deformable member to form a chamber therebetween, said outer generally nondeformable member being turned in over the edge of said deformable member to form a seal for said chamber, an explosive in said chamber and of sufficient quantity, when exploded, to deform said deformable member into physical contact with said wires and said wires into crimping engagement with one another, and means to ignite said explosive.

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