EP1601052A1

EP1601052A1 - Multi-tap compression connector

Info

Publication number: EP1601052A1
Application number: EP05076886A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Robert L. Sokol; Robert W. Kossak; Brian Keller
Original assignee: Panduit Corp
Current assignee: Panduit Corp
Priority date: 2002-09-26
Filing date: 2003-09-26
Publication date: 2005-11-30
Anticipated expiration: 2023-09-26
Also published as: EP1601052B1

Abstract

A compression connector (220) for securing wires (222, 224, 226, 228) therein is disclosed. A compression connector (220) has a first section (230) and a second section (232). Each of the first and second sections (230, 232) has a body portion (234, 256) having hooks (236, 238, 258, 260) and ramps (240, 242, 262, 264) extending therefrom to form conductor receiving channels (244, 246, 266, 268). The body portion (234) further comprises tap wire ports (248, 250) which create an angled crumple zone.

Description

The present invention is directed to a multi-tap compression connector, and more particularly, to a split multi-tap compression connector that can accommodate different size tap wires.

Examples of multi-tap compression connectors can be found in the following U.S. Patents: 3,009,987; 5,103,068; 5,200,576; 6,452,103; 6,486,403; 6,525,270; 6,538,204 and 6,552,271. DE 1,277,975 discloses a device for parallel connection of cables, which comprises multiple sections. US 3,340,352 discloses a connector assembly having a plurality of connector elements. However, none of these prior art compression connectors have a first collapsible link positioned between the first and second tap wire ports, and a second collapsible link positioned between the third and fourth tap wire ports. Moreover, none of these prior art compression connectors have a first angled crumple zone positioned between the first and second side tap wire ports, and a second angled crumple zone positioned between the third and fourth side tap wire ports.

It would be desirable to provide a multi-tap compression connector having increased wire pullout strength.

It would also be desirable to provide a multi-tap compression connector having improved retention of tap wires before and during the crimping operation.

It would further be desirable to provide a multi-tap compression connector having a collapsible link to increase the overall compressibility of the compression connector.

It would also be desirable to provide a multi-tap compression connector having non-coplanar side taps to improve retention of tap wires therein.

The invention is set out in the claims.

Preferably, the compression connector has a first pair of slots extending between the first section and the second section on a first side thereof, and a second pair of slots extending between the first section and the second section on a second side thereof. The first and second pairs of slots are capable of receiving a cable tie for securing wires therein before crimping.

Preferably, each of the first, second, third and fourth tap wire ports are teardrop-shaped and are substantially the same size. Alternatively, the first tap wire port may be larger than the second tap wire port, and the third tap wire port may be larger than the fourth tap wire port.

Preferably, the compression connector has first, second, third and fourth retention tabs. The retention tabs retain the tap wires in the tap wire ports.

In another preferred embodiment, a compression connector for securing wires therein is disclosed. The compression connector has a first body portion connected to a second body portion. Each of the body portions has a hook and a ramp extending therefrom to form a first main wire port, and a hook and a ramp extending therefrom to form a second main wire port. Each of the body portions further has two side tap wire ports, and an angled crumple zone defined between the two tap wire ports.

Preferably, the compression connector has a first pair of slots extending between the first and second body portions on a first side thereof, and a second pair of slots extending between the first and second body portions on a second side thereof. The first and second slots are capable of receiving a cable tie for securing wires therein before crimping.

Preferably, each of the side tap wire ports is positioned between a hook and a ramp. Moreover, each of the side tap wire ports are substantially the same size. Alternatively, each of the side tap wire ports are a different size.

Preferably the compression connector (20) for securing wires (22, 24, 26) therein, the compression connector (20) comprises:

a first section (28) having a first body portion (32) and a first end wall (40), the first body portion (32) having a first hook (34) and a first ramp (36) extending therefrom to form a main wire port (38), the first body portion (32) further having a first tap wire port (42) and a second tap wire port (44) adjacent the first end wall (40), wherein a first angled collapsible link (53) is defined between the first tap wire port (42) and the second tap wire port (44), and connects the first body portion (32) and the first end wall (40), and characterised by;

a first retention tab (46) and a second retention tab (48), wherein the first retention tab (46) and the second retention tab (48) retain tap wires (24, 26) in the first tap wire port (42) and the second tap wire port (44), respectively.

Preferably, the compression connector (20) comprises a second section (30) having a second body portion (54) and a second end wall (62), the second body portion (30) having a second hook (56) and a second ramp (58) extending therefrom to form a second main wire port (60), the second body portion (54) further having a third tap wire port (64) and a fourth tap wire port (66) adjacent the second end wall (62), wherein a second angled collapsible link (75) is defined between the third tap wire port (64) and the fourth tap wire port (66).

Preferably, each of the first (42), second (44), third (64) and fourth (66) tap wire ports are teardrop-shaped.

Preferably, each of the first (42), second (44), third (64) and fourth (66) tap wire ports are substantially the same size, or
the first tap wire port (42) is larger than the second tap wire port (44), and the third tap wire port (64) is larger than the fourth tap wire port (66).

Preferably, the compression connector (20) comprises a first groove (50) and a second groove (52), wherein the first groove (50) is positioned between the first retention tap (46) and the first ramp (36), and the second groove (52) is positioned between the second retention tab (48) and the first hook (34).

Preferably, the compression connector (20) comprises a third retention tab (68) and a fourth retention tab (70) wherein the third retention tab (68) and the fourth retention tab (70) retain tap wires (24, 26) in the third tap wire port (64) and the fourth tap wire port (66), respectively, and preferably comprising a third groove (72) and a fourth groove (74), wherein the third groove (72) is positioned between the third retention tab (68) and the second ramp (58), and the fourth groove (74) is positioned between the fourth retention tab (70) and the second hook (56).

Preferably, a central body portion (76) connects the first section (28) or body portion (32) and the second section (30) or body portion (54).

Preferably, the compression connector (20) comprises a first slot (78) extending between the first section (28) or body portion (32) and the second section (30) or body portion (54) on a first side thereof, and a second slot (80) extending between the first section (28) or body portion (32) and the second section (30) or body portion (54) on a second side thereof, wherein the first slot (78) and the second slot (80) receive a cable tie for securing wires (22, 24, 26) therein before crimping.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a compression connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention, shown secured around main line wires after crimping one large tap wire and one small tap wire;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the compression connector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the compression connector FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a left side view of the compression connector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the compression connector of FIG. 1, after crimping one large tap wire and one small tap wire;

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a compression connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the compression connector of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a left side view of the compression connector of FIG. 7;

FiG. 10 is a front view of the compression connector of FIG. 7, after crimping two large tap wires;

FIG. 11 is a front view of the compression connector of FIG. 7, after crimping two small tap wires;

FIG. 12 is a front view of the compression connector of FIG. 7, after crimping two medium tap wires;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a compression connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention, shown secured around two main line wires after crimping two tap wires;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the compression connector of FIG.13;

FIG. 15 is a front view of the compression connector of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a right side view of the compression connector of FIG. 13;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 17-17 of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a front view of the compression connector of FIG. 13 prior to crimping; and

FIG. 19 is a front view of the compression connector of FIG. 13 after crimping.

The illustrated embodiments of the invention are directed to a split multi-tap compression connector having at least one main line wire and two tap wires secured therein. FIGS. 1-6 are directed to a compression connector 20, FIGS. 7-12 are directed to a compression connector 120, and FIGS. 13-19 are directed to a compression connector 220.

FIG. 1 shows a split multi-tap compression connector 20 secured around main line wires 22 and

tap wires

24, 26, after crimping. Preferably, compression connector 20 is a one-piece member made of electrically conductive material, such as copper. However, it is likewise contemplated that compression connector 20 may be made of any suitable materials or elements that will withstand a crimping operation.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, compression connector 20 has a first section 28 and a second section 30. As best seen in FIG. 3, first section 28 includes a first body portion 32 having a hook 34 and a ramp 36 extending therefrom to form main wire port 38 in which main line wires 22 can be placed. Preferably, hook 34 is C-shaped. First section 28 has a first end wall 40 connected to first body portion 32.

Tap wire ports

42, 44 are adjacent first end wall 40, and

retention tabs

46, 48 extend from first body portion 32 at an oblique angle. Groove 50 is positioned between retention tab 46 and ramp 36, and groove 52 is positioned between retention tab 48 and hook 34. Collapsible link 53 connects first body portion 32 and first end wall 40, and is positioned between

tap wire ports

42, 44.

Retention tabs

46, 48 increase the overall compressibility of compression connector 20 because

tap wire ports

42, 44 can accommodate different

size tap wires

24, 26. As shown in FIG. 6,

tap wire ports

42, 44 can accommodate large and small

diameter tap wires

24, 26. Retention tab 46 minimizes the gap between first end wall 40 and first body portion 32 to improve the positioning and enhance the retention of tap wire 24 in tap wire port 42, before and during the crimping operation. Likewise, retention tab 48 minimizes the gap between first end wall 40 and first body portion 32 to improve the positioning and enhance the retention of tap wire 26 in tap wire port 44, before and during the crimping operation. Preferably,

tap wire ports

42, 44 are teardrop-shaped. As best seen in FIG. 3, tap wire port 42 is larger than tap wire port 44. However, as shown in FIG. 8,

tap wire ports

42, 44 may be the same size.

Second section 30 is identical to first section 28. As best seen in FIG. 5, second section 30 includes a second body portion 54 having a hook 56 and a ramp 58 extending therefrom to form main wire port 60 in which main line wires 22 can be placed. Preferably, hook 56 is C-shaped. Second section 30 has a second end wall 62 connected to second body portion 54.

Tap wire ports

64, 66 are adjacent second end wall 62, and

retention tabs

68, 70 extend from second body portion 54 at an oblique angle. Groove 72 is positioned between retention tab 68 and ramp 58, and groove 74 is positioned between retention tab 70 and hook 56. Collapsible link 75 connects second body portion 54 and second end wall 62, and is positioned between

tap wire ports

64, 66. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, a central body portion 76 connects first body portion 32 and second body portion 54.

As best seen in FIG. 4, compression connector 20 includes two

slots

78, 80 cut through compression connector 20.

Slots

78, 80 provide space to loop a cable tie (not shown) to secure main line wires 22 and

tap wires

24, 26 to compression connector 20 before crimping.

Although FIGS. 1-6 show compression connector 20 having

slots

78, 80, it is likewise contemplated that compression connector 20 may not have any slots.

A second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 7-12. As shown in FIG. 7, a split multi-tap compression connector 120 is substantially the same as compression connector 20 illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, except the tap wire ports are substantially the same size. However, compression connector 120 functions similarly to compression connector 20 illustrated in FIGS. 1-6.

In operation, C-shaped compression connector 20 allows for partial hands-free installation because

hooks

34, 56 can be hung around main line wires 22 while tap wire 24 is inserted into

tap wire ports

42, 64, and tap wire 26 is inserted into

tap wire ports

44, 66. Main wire port 38 and one of

tap wire ports

42 or 44 must be utilized. The remaining

tap wire port

42 or 44 may be utilized or left empty. Similarly, main wire port 60 and one of

tap wire ports

64 or 66 must be utilized. The remaining

tap wire port

64 or 66 may be utilized or left empty. Compression connector 20 is crimped with one single crimp over first section 28 and second section 30.

Compression connector 20 is crimped using a crimp tool (not shown), such as Panduit® CT-2940 crimp tool, fitted with a pair of crimp dies (not shown), such as Panduit® CD-940H-250 crimp dies. The outer radius of

hooks

34, 56, first end wall 40 and second end wall 62 are smaller than the inner radius of the crimping dies and, thus, two die contact points are created. During crimping, as best seen in FIGS. 6 and 10-12, hooks 34, 56 encircle wires 22, resulting in a connection having improved electrical and mechanical performance.

A third embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 13-19. FIG. 13 shows a split multi-tap compression connector 220 secured around

main line wires

222, 224 and tap

wires

226, 228, after crimping. Preferably, compression connector 220 is a one-piece member made of electrically conductive material, such as copper. However, it is likewise contemplated that compression connector 220 may be made of any suitable materials or elements that will withstand a crimping operation.

As shown in FIG. 14, compression connector 220 has a first section 230 and a second section 232. First section 230 includes a first body portion 234 having

hooks

236, 238 and

ramps

240, 242 extending therefrom to form

conductor receiving channels

244, 246 in which

main line wires

222, 224 can be placed, as shown in FIG. 18. Preferably, hooks 236, 238 are C-shaped. As best seen in FIG. 18, S-shaped compression connector 220 allows for partial hands-free installation because

hooks

236, 238 can be hung around

main line wires

222, 224 while

tap wires

226, 228 are inserted into side

tap wire ports

248, 250. Non-coplanar side

tap wire ports

248, 250 create an angled beam crumple zone, as shown in FIGS. 17-19. The outer radius of

hooks

236, 238 is smaller than the inner radius of the crimping dies (not shown) and, thus, two die

contact points

252, 254 are created. During the crimping operation, as best seen in FIG. 19, ramps 240, 242 wrap hooks 236, 238 around

main line wires

222, 224. As shown in FIG. 19, the angled beam crumple zone interlocks side

tap wire ports

248, 250 to retain

tap wires

226, 228 therein.

Second section 232 is identical to first section 230. Second section 232 includes a second body portion 256 having

hooks

258, 260 and

ramps

262, 264 extending therefrom to form

conductor receiving channels

266, 268 in which

main line wires

222, 224 can be placed. Preferably, hooks 258, 260 are C-shaped. S-shaped compression connector 220 allows for partial hands-free installation because

hooks

258, 260 can be hung around

main line wires

222, 224 while

tap wires

226, 228 are inserted into side

tap wire ports

270, 272. The outer radius of

hooks

258, 260 is smaller than the inner radius of the crimping dies and, thus, two die

contact points

274, 276 are created. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 16, a central body portion 278 connects first body portion 234 and second body portion 256.

The disclosed invention provides a split multi-tap compression connector having improved retention of tap wires before and during the crimping operation. It should be noted that the above-described illustrated embodiments and preferred embodiments of the invention are not an exhaustive listing of the form such a compression connector in accordance with the invention might take; rather, they serve as exemplary and illustrative of embodiments of the invention as presently understood. By way of example, and without limitation, a compression connector having three or more tap wire ports is contemplated to be within the scope of the invention. Many other forms of the invention are believed to exist.

Claims

A compression connector (220) for securing wires (222, 224, 226, 228) therein, the compression connector (220) comprising:

a first body portion (234) having a first hook (236) and a first ramp (240) extending therefrom to form a first main wire port (244), and a second hook (238) and a second ramp (242) extending therefrom to form a second main wire port (246), the first body portion (234) further having a first side tap wire port (248) and second side tap wire port (250) opposite thereto, wherein a first angled crumple zone is defined between the first side tap wire port (248) and the second side tap wire port (250).
The compression connector (220) of claim 1 further comprising a second body portion (256) having a third hook (258) and a third ramp (262) extending therefrom to form a third main wire port (266), and a fourth hook (260) and a fourth ramp (264) extending therefrom to form a fourth main wire port (268), the second body portion (256) further having a third side tap wire port (270) and a fourth side tap wire port (272) opposite thereto, wherein a second angled crumple zone is defined between the third side tap wire port (270) and the fourth tap wire port (272).
The compression connector (220) of claim 2 wherein each of the first (248), second (250), third (270) and fourth (272) tap wire ports are substantially circular.
The compression connector (220) of claim 2 wherein the first side tap wire port (248) and the second side tap wire port (250) are substantially the same size, and/or wherein the third side tap wire port (270) and the fourth side tap wire port (272) are substantially the same size.
The compression connector (220) of claim 2 wherein a central body portion (278) connects the first body portion (234) and the second body portion (256).
The compression connector (220) of claim 2 further comprising a first slot extending between the first body portion (234) and the second body portion (256) on a first side thereof, and a second slot extending between the first body portion (234) and the second body portion (256) on a second side thereof, wherein the first slot and the second slot receive a cable tie for securing wires (222, 224, 226, 228) therein before crimping.
The compression connector (220) of claim 2 wherein the first side tap wire port (248) is positioned between the first hook (236) and the second ramp (242), and the second side tap wire port (250) is positioned between the first ramp (240) and the second hook (238) and/or wherein the third side tap wire port (270) is positioned between the third hook (258) and the fourth ramp (264), and the fourth side tap wire port (272) is positioned between the third ramp (262) and the fourth hook (260).
The compression connector (220) of claim 1 or 2 wherein the first (236) and second (238) hooks are substantially C shaped.