US3864009A - Connector and method - Google Patents

Connector and method Download PDF

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Publication number
US3864009A
US3864009A US349068A US34906873A US3864009A US 3864009 A US3864009 A US 3864009A US 349068 A US349068 A US 349068A US 34906873 A US34906873 A US 34906873A US 3864009 A US3864009 A US 3864009A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
screw
shield
jaw
jaws
end wall
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US349068A
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English (en)
Inventor
Ralph F Wickenberg
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
3M Co
Original Assignee
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co filed Critical Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co
Priority to US349068A priority Critical patent/US3864009A/en
Priority to DE2417579A priority patent/DE2417579C2/de
Priority to JP1974040022U priority patent/JPS5415178Y2/ja
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3864009A publication Critical patent/US3864009A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • H01R4/58—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation characterised by the form or material of the contacting members
    • H01R4/64—Connections between or with conductive parts having primarily a non-electric function, e.g. frame, casing, rail
    • H01R4/646—Connections between or with conductive parts having primarily a non-electric function, e.g. frame, casing, rail for cables or flexible cylindrical bodies

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A connector utilizing a screw for making a positive electrical connection to a plastic coated conductive shield in a communication cable.
  • the connector includes a U-shaped spring clip including a first jaw comprising a longitudinally extending channel with a depth less than the major diameter of the screw thread.
  • the clip is pressed over the end of a jacketed conductive shield to position the conductive shield over the open side of the channel.
  • the screw is inserted into the channel through an opening in an end wall of the connector and is rotated to advance along the channel and engage the shield.
  • the shield is pressed against the exposed side of the screw by a second opposed jaw, so that movement of the threads relative to the shield as the screw rotates wipes away its plastic coating and affords electrical engagement between the conductive shield and the screw.
  • This invention relates to electrical connectors for making an electrical connection between a conductor and the conductive shield on a communication cable.
  • a communication cable commonly comprises a number of individually insulated wires which may or may not be bound together with an electrically insulating inner sheath, a sleeve-like electrically conductive shield around the wires and inner sheath (if present), and an electrically insulating outer jacket over the shield.
  • an electrical connection is made between a conductor and the conductive shield to carry an electrical path across the splice or connect the shield to a source of ground potential to afford grounding of currents from extraneous electrical fields.
  • a connector according to the present invention utilizes the crest of the thread on a screw for making a positive efficient and quickly applied connection to a plastic coated conductive shield.
  • the crest of the thread along one side of the screw is pressed and rotated against the shield during attachment of the connector.
  • the screw thread is sufficiently rough to wipe or file away the plastic coating and to engage the shield so that an efficient connection will be established. Connections made in this manner have been found to show little loss of efficiency over prolonged temperature cycling, because the plastic coating has been effectively removed between the screw threads and the shield.
  • the connector includes a novel resilient conductive clip adapted for engagement around the end of a conductive shield and outer jacket.
  • the novel clip (1) affords ease of insertion of the screw beneath the conductive shield, (2) guides the screw during engagement with the shield, (3) presses the shield into engagement with the screw, (4) protects the adjacent inner shield or conductors from the screw threads, and (5) affords a strong mechanical engagement between the cable and the connector.
  • the clip includes first and second opposed longitudinally extending jaws interconnected to form a generally U-shaped structure by an end wall having an opening adapted to receive the threaded end of a screw for movement between the jaws.
  • the first jaw comprises a longitudinally extending channel with a depth less than the major diameter of the screw thread positioned with its open side adjacent the second jaw and its end ad jacent the end wall aligned with the opening.
  • the clip is pressed over the end of a shield and outer jacket with the second jaw contacting the jacket and the shield over the open side of the channel, the side walls of the channel being tapered in height from the end wall toward the opposite end of the first jaw to facilitate its insertion between the conductive shield and conductors or inner shield.
  • the screw is then inserted through the opening and into the channel beneath the conductive shield and is rotated.
  • the portion of the screw thread projecting from the channel engages the adjacent surface of the conductive shield which is pressed against the screw by the second jaw, and the screw is guided along the channel as it advances, the channel being sufficiently long to protect the conductors or inner shield from potentially damaging contact by the screw threads.
  • the second jaw may have a plurality of barbs curved toward the channel to engage the outer jacket and in sure a strong mechanical engagement between the clip and the cable, and may have a projecting threaded stud to facilitate attachment of one or more conductors.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector according to the present invention shown attached over the end of a jacketed conductive shield for a fragment of a communication cable;
  • FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken approximately along the lines 2-2 of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the connector of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken approximately along the lines 4-4 of FIG. 3.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 the connector 10 is shown engaged over the end of a conductive shield 12 and outer jacket 14 of a communication cable 16 to afford electrical contact between the conductive shield 12 and a conductor 18.
  • the conductor 18 may be attached to a source of ground potential or may be a portion of an electrical path around a 3 splice between separate lengths of communication cable.
  • the communication cable 16 comprises a plurality of individually insulated wires 20 which may, as illustrated, be surrounded by an electrically insulating inner sheath 22.
  • the conductive shield 12 typically is a sleeve-like member of corrugated metal such as aluminum or copper positioned around the inner sheath 22 and wires, and the electrically insulating tubular outer jacket 14 (typically 'of polyethylene) is positioned around the conductive shield 12.
  • the connector includes a conventional pointed sheet metal screw 24 having a helical thread 26 and a slotted'head 28 which provides efficient electrical contact with the conductive shield 12.
  • the connector 10 also includes a spring clip 30 adapted for engagement over the edge of the conductive shield 12 and outer jacket 14 (FIGS. 1 and 2) to afford engagement of the crest of the thread 26 on one side of the screw 24 with the conductive shield 12.
  • the clip 30 is of a resilient conductive material and includes first and second longitudinally extending opposed jaws 32 and 34 interconnected by an end wall 36 to form-a generally U-shaped structure.
  • the end wall 36 has a generally central opening 38 sized to receive the screw 24 and afford threaded engagement between the screw 24 and the end wall 36, thereby affording a good conductive path between the screw 24 and the clip 30.
  • the first jaw 32 has a longitudinally extending channel 39 with a depth less than the major diameter of the screw thread 26 positioned with its open side adjacent the second jaw 34 and its end adjacent the end wall 36 aligned with the opening 38.
  • the walls of the channel include a planar central wall 40, and side walls 42 projecting from the central wall 40 toward the second jaw 34 to provide, in cross section, a generally U-shaped channel.
  • the side walls 42 at their ends adjacent the end wall 36 extend about to the center of the opening 38 so that the tip of the screw 24 may easily be inserted between the central wall 40 of the jaw 32 and a conductive shield 12 between the jaws 32 and 34.
  • the side walls 42 are tapered from the end adjacent the end wall 36 toward the opposite end of the first jaw 32, making the first jaw 32 wedge-shaped to facilitate its insertion between a conductive shield and an inner shield or conductors, thereby forming an opening for the insertion of the screw 24.
  • the channel 39 of the first jaw 32 provides means for guiding the screw 24 as it is engaged with the conductive shield 12, and at least the central wall 40 is about the same length as the threaded portion of the screw 24 to protect the conductors 18 or inner sheath 22 from the threads 26 thereof.
  • the second jaw 34 is positioned generally parallel I with the adjacent edges of the side Walls 42 and is symmetrically tapered from the end wall 36.
  • the second jaw 34 is slightly curved about a longitudinal axis to provide a cylindrically concave inner surface adapted for engagement with the exterior surface of the outer jacket 14.
  • the second jaw 34 has a plurality of spaced slits formed along each edge, each extending inwardly from an edge away from the end wall 36 to form a triangular barb 46.
  • Each of the barbs 46 is curved to protrude from the second jaw 34 with its point directed generally toward the end wall 36 and first jaw 32.
  • the barbs 46 are adapted to engage the outer jacket 14 when the clip 30 is positioned over the edge of a con- 4 ductive shield 12 and outer jacket 14, and help retain the connector 10 in mechanical engagement therewith. If further mechanical engagement is desired between the clip 30 and a cable, triangular barbs may be similarly formed along the edges of the side walls 42 adjacent the second jaw 34 (not shown) and curved toward the second jaw 34 to engage the conductive shield 12.
  • a threaded stud 48 is attached to the second jaw 34 and projects normally thereto away from the first jaw 32.
  • the stud 48 and a nut 50 provide a convenient means of attaching one or more conductors to the connector 10. While alternatively, conductors could be attached under the head 28 of the screw 24, the stud 48 positions conductors in a more convenient position, and facilitates adding or changing conductors without removing the screw 24.
  • the screw is a tin plated slotted pan head No. 10 X 1% inch long sheet metal screw of hardened brass.
  • the spring clip is of 0.048 inch thick half hard copper zinc alloy CDA No. 230, 240, or 260 and is tin plated.
  • the jaws are about 1% inch long with a width at the end wall of one-half inch.
  • the channel of the first jaw is about 0.20 inch wide and the side walls forming the channel taper from a maximum height adjacent the end wall of 0.15 inch, which is slightly above the center line of the opening.
  • the adjacent edges of the side walls are-generally parallel to and spaced about 0.05 inch from the second jaw, and 0.1 inch separation of the jaws at their ends requires about 5 to 6 pounds of force.
  • a 10-32 stud projects from the second jaw. and the slits defining the barbs are 0.15 inch long and disposed at an angle of 30 degrees with the edges of the second jaw.
  • a craftsman places the end of the first jaw 32 between the conductive shield 12 and the inner sheath 22 or conductors 18 of the cable 16 with the secondjaw 34 on the outer surface of the outer jacket 14.
  • the jaws 32 and 34 are moved axially along the cable 16 until the edge of the jacketed conductive shield 12 contacts the end wall 26. This may be done manually or with the aid of a hammer.
  • the craftsman then inserts the end of the screw 24 through the opening 38 and into the channel 39 with one side of the screw 24 contacting the conductive shield 12 and rotates the screw 24 as with a screwdriver.
  • the thread 26 on the screw 24 engages the end wall 36 about the opening 38 to positively advance the screw 24 between the jaws 32 and 34, and the adjacent portions of the thread 26 engage and wipe across the inner surface of the conductive shield 12 in axially spaced areas.
  • the movement of the threads along these areas wipes or files the plastic coating from the conductive shield 12 so that when the screw head 28 abuts the end wall 36, an efficient electrical contact is completed between the screw threads 26 and shield 12.
  • the craftsman may then attach the required conductors 18 to the stud 48 via the nut 50.
  • a connector for making an electrical connection to an end of a tubular electrically conductive plastic coated shield with an electrically insulating outer jacket on a communication cable comprising:
  • an electrically conductive screw having a head and a generally pointed helically threaded end
  • a generally U-shaped resilient clip having first and second opposed jaws projecting from an interconnecting end wall, said jaws terminating with spaced ends adapted to receive the conductive shield and jacket therebetween' with the first jaw adjacent the inner surface of said shield and said end wall adjacent the end of said conductive shield.
  • said end wall having an opening receiving the threaded end of said screw to project from said end wall between the jaws
  • said clip including means for guiding the screw along the first jaw and said jaws being spaced to resiliently press said screw against said conductive shield when said clip is engaged over said jacketed shield to engage the adjacent edges .of the threads with the conductive shield, thereby wiping away the plastic coating on the shield as the screw is rotated between the jaws to provide an electrical connection between the screw and the conductive shield, and resiliently retaining said electrical connection after the screw is completely engaged with its head at the end wall.
  • a connector according to claim 1 wherein said second jaw has a plurality of spaced slits formed along each edge and extending inwardly from said edges away from the end wall to form triangular barbs, with each of the barbs being curved to protrude from the second jaw with the point thereof directed generally toward said first jaw and said end wall.
  • said first jaw comprises a longitudinally extending channel with a depth less than the major diameter of said screw thread, said channel being positioned with its open side adjacent the second jaw and its end adjacent the end wall aligned with the opening to provide said means for guiding the screw along the first jaw.
  • a connector according to claim 4 wherein said channel has a central wall and two side walls attached to and projecting from the central wall toward said second jaw, the height of the side walls from the central wall being tapered from the ends of the side walls adjacent the end wall toward the opposite end of the first 6.
  • a connector according to claim 5 wherein the ends of said side walls adjacent the end wall extend from said central wall about to the center of said opening.
  • a generally U-shaped resilient clip adapted for engagement around an end of a tubular electrically conductive plastic coated shield with an electrically insulating outer jacket on a communication cable, and for receiving a screw having a head and a threaded end to make an electrical connection between the screw and the conductive shield, said clip having first and second longitudinal opposed jaws projecting from an interconnecting end wall having an opening therethrough adapted to receive the screw; the first jaw comprising a central wall and two side walls attached to and projecting from the central wall toward said second jaw, the height ofthe side walls from the central wall being tapered from their ends adjacent the end wall toward the opposite end of the first jaw to form a wedge adapted to be pressed under the end of a conductive shield, and said central and side walls forming a longitudinally extending channel with a depth less than the major diameter of the screw thread positioned with its open side adjacent the second jaw and its end adjacent the end wall aligned with the opening to guide a said screw inserted through the opening along the first jaw, and the jaws being-spaced
  • a method for making an electrical connection to an end of a tubular electrically conductive plastic coated shield with an electrically insulating outer jacket on a communication cable including the steps of:
  • a screw with a threaded end, and a generally U-shaped resilient clip having first and second opposed jaws projecting from an interconnecting end wall, said end wall having an opening therethrough adapted to receive the screw, the first jaw comprising means for guiding the threaded end of the screw along the firstjaw upon insertion thereof through the opening and between the jaws;
  • a method for making an electrical connection to the end of a jacketed electrically conductive plastic coated shield on a communication cable including the steps of:
  • a connector for making an electrical connection to an end of a tubular electrically conductive plastic coated shield with an electrically insulating outer jacket on a communication cable comprising:
  • an electrically conductive screw having a head and a generally pointed helically threaded end
  • a clip comprising first and second opposed jaws and means joining said jaws at one end and defining an interconnecting end wall, said jaws terminating with spaced ends adapted to receive the conductive shield and jacket therebetween with the first jaw adjacent the inner surface of said shield and said end wall adjacent the end of said conductive shield, said end wall having an opening receiving the threaded end of said screw to project from said end wall between the jaws, said clip including means for guiding the screw along the first jaw, and said means joining said jaws providing means for sup-' porting said jaws adapted to resiliently press said screw against said shield when said clip is engaged over said jacketed shield to engage the adjacent edges of the threads with the conductive shield, thereby wiping away the plastic coating on the shield as the screw is rotated between the jaws to provide an electrical connection between the screw and the conductive shield, and resiliently retaining said electrical connection after the screw is completely engaged with its head at the endvwall.
  • said connector comprising:
  • an electrically conductive screw-like member having a head and a generally pointed end having axially spaced ridges around its periphery;
  • a clip comprising first and second opposed jaws and means joining said jaws at one end and defining an interconnecting end wall, said jaws terminating with spaced ends adapted to receive the conductive shield and jacket therebetween with the first jaw adjacent the inner surface of said shield and said end wall adjacent the end of said conductive shield, said end wall having an opening receiving the pointed end of said screw-like member to project from said end wall between the jaws, said clip including means for guiding the screw-like member along the first jaw, and said means joining said jaws providing means for supporting said jaws adapted to resiliently press said screw-like member against said shield when said clip is engaged over said jacketed shield to engage the adjacent edges of said ridges with the conductive shield, thereby wiping away the plastic coating on the shield as the screwlike member is rotated between the jaws to provide an electrical connection between the screw-like member and the conductiveshield, and resiliently retaining said electrical connection after the screwlike member is completely engaged with its head at the end wall.

Landscapes

  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
  • Multi-Conductor Connections (AREA)
  • Connections Effected By Soldering, Adhesion, Or Permanent Deformation (AREA)
  • Cable Accessories (AREA)
US349068A 1973-04-09 1973-04-09 Connector and method Expired - Lifetime US3864009A (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US349068A US3864009A (en) 1973-04-09 1973-04-09 Connector and method
DE2417579A DE2417579C2 (de) 1973-04-09 1974-04-08 Vorrichtung zur Herstellung einer elektrischen Verbindung
JP1974040022U JPS5415178Y2 (de) 1973-04-09 1974-04-08

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US349068A US3864009A (en) 1973-04-09 1973-04-09 Connector and method

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US3864009A true US3864009A (en) 1975-02-04

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US (1) US3864009A (de)
JP (1) JPS5415178Y2 (de)
DE (1) DE2417579C2 (de)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4053703A (en) * 1976-08-12 1977-10-11 Smith-Schreyer & Assoc., Inc. Clamping connector
US4353612A (en) * 1980-06-06 1982-10-12 The National Telephone Supply Company Shield connector
US4571013A (en) * 1983-09-30 1986-02-18 Northern Telecom Limited Connector for cable shields
US20120255597A1 (en) * 2011-03-04 2012-10-11 Elio Bragagna Electrical Conductor Arrangement as a Component of a Photovoltaic Array
US10320164B2 (en) 2016-05-05 2019-06-11 Rxl, Inc. Grounding clip
EP4087064A1 (de) * 2021-05-03 2022-11-09 3M Innovative Properties Company Kabelabschirmklemme
US11909154B1 (en) 2021-03-08 2024-02-20 Chatsworth Products, Inc. Endcap for establishing electrical bonding connection

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4895525A (en) * 1989-01-31 1990-01-23 A K Stamping Co. Inc. Cable shield grounding clamp connector

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2083606A (en) * 1933-11-02 1937-06-15 Palmer Electric & Mfg Co Solderless connecter lug
US3019409A (en) * 1959-04-15 1962-01-30 United Carr Fastener Corp Grounding clip
US3122604A (en) * 1958-11-12 1964-02-25 Steel City Electric Company Ground clip for electrical outlet and switch boxes
US3707698A (en) * 1971-04-08 1972-12-26 Gen Cable Corp Electrical terminal structure with wedged conductor
US3732354A (en) * 1971-01-19 1973-05-08 J Thompson Cable end seal, support and grounding assembly

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3253247A (en) * 1963-12-05 1966-05-24 Minnesota Mining & Mfg Electrical connector
DE2019332B2 (de) * 1970-04-22 1973-04-12 Thompson, John Thomas, Los Angeles; Gillemot, George Warren, Santa Monica; Calif. (V.StA.) Verfahren und vorrichtung zum anbringen einer elektrischen und mechanischen verbindung an dem kabelmantel und der abschirmung eines kabels

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2083606A (en) * 1933-11-02 1937-06-15 Palmer Electric & Mfg Co Solderless connecter lug
US3122604A (en) * 1958-11-12 1964-02-25 Steel City Electric Company Ground clip for electrical outlet and switch boxes
US3019409A (en) * 1959-04-15 1962-01-30 United Carr Fastener Corp Grounding clip
US3732354A (en) * 1971-01-19 1973-05-08 J Thompson Cable end seal, support and grounding assembly
US3707698A (en) * 1971-04-08 1972-12-26 Gen Cable Corp Electrical terminal structure with wedged conductor

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4053703A (en) * 1976-08-12 1977-10-11 Smith-Schreyer & Assoc., Inc. Clamping connector
US4353612A (en) * 1980-06-06 1982-10-12 The National Telephone Supply Company Shield connector
US4571013A (en) * 1983-09-30 1986-02-18 Northern Telecom Limited Connector for cable shields
US20120255597A1 (en) * 2011-03-04 2012-10-11 Elio Bragagna Electrical Conductor Arrangement as a Component of a Photovoltaic Array
US8672702B2 (en) * 2011-03-04 2014-03-18 Hilti Aktiengesellschaft Electrical conductor arrangement as a component of a photovoltaic array
US10320164B2 (en) 2016-05-05 2019-06-11 Rxl, Inc. Grounding clip
US11909154B1 (en) 2021-03-08 2024-02-20 Chatsworth Products, Inc. Endcap for establishing electrical bonding connection
EP4087064A1 (de) * 2021-05-03 2022-11-09 3M Innovative Properties Company Kabelabschirmklemme
WO2022234362A1 (en) * 2021-05-03 2022-11-10 3M Innovative Properties Company Cable shield clamp

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS49150386U (de) 1974-12-26
DE2417579A1 (de) 1974-10-24
JPS5415178Y2 (de) 1979-06-20
DE2417579C2 (de) 1984-01-19

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