US2339488A - Connector - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 18, 1944. F. M. KRATovlLLE CONNECTOR Filed Dec. 7, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 A TTOEWEV Jan. 18, 1844. F. M. KRAQwLLE 2,888,488

CONNECTOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. '7, 1942 A'TOENEV Patented Jan. 18, 1944 CONNECTOR Frank M. Kratovllle, St. Louis. Mo.. assigner to James B.. Kearney Corporation, Bt. Louis, Mo.,

a corporation of Missouri Application December 7, 1942, Serial No. 468,055 6 Claims. (Cl. 281-75) This invention relates generally to connectors and more specifically to connectors of the type adapted for use in mechanically and electrically .connecting stranded cables, the predominant object of the invention being to provide an improved connector of this type which is of extremely simple construction and arrangement and which is capable of performing its intended function inahighly eillcientmanner.

Fig. l is a side elevation of the improved connector shown in association with a pair of cables.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through the conhector assembly shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross-section taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a modiiied form of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section through the connector assembly illustrated by Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of still another modied form of the invention.

Fig. '1 is a side elevation of the assembly illustrated in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a vertical section taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a horizontal section taken on line I-I of Fig, 8.

In the drawings, wherein are shown for the purposes of illustration, merely, several embodiments of the invention, A designates generally the improved connector illustrated in F188. I. 2. and 3. The connector A includes a body member i comprising an elongated structure having opposed. cylindrical portions 2 and 2' which are externally screwthreaded and the inner openings of which are divided by a solid. integral wall 3 (Fig. 2) that is located at the approximate longitudinal center of the body member. The body member l includes also an outwardly projected integral extension l oi polygonal formation which is located at the approximate longitudinal center of the body member and serves to receive a wrench, or other suitable tool. when a pair of cables are being connected with the aid of the connector. It is to be noted that the inner faces of the walls of the opposed. cylindrical portions I and 2' are straight, in that they`are parallel with the axis of the body member, and also that the opposite side faces of the solid wall 3 pro vide abutments which serve as closures for the openings within the opposed, cylindrical portions I and I' at the inner ends thereof, said openings being open at the outer ends of the respective opposed, cylindrical portions 2 and l'.

Included as parts of the completely assembled connector A are pairs oi' wedge elements l and 6, each comprising two elongated elements of semicircular cross-sectional shape. as is shown to good advantage in Figs. 2 and 3. The walls of the elements of each pair of wedge elements are of tapering thicknesses throughout the greater part of the length thereof; that is to say. the walls of said elements taper from points of their greatest thickness located inwardly of certain and corresponding ends of the elements to substantially reduce thickness at the opposite ends thereof. Because of the tapering thicknesses of the walls of pairs of elements 5 and 6 each pair thereof, when assembled, provides a longitudinally split tapered tube, the mated sections of which are spaced apart slightly.

At the inner face of the wall oi each element of the pairs of wedge elementsy 5 and 8 a pair of inwardly extended ribs 1 and 8 are formed thereon. These ribs 'I and I are formed integrally with the wedge element with which they are associated, the rib 'i of each wedge element being located at the end of the element where the wall thereof is of reduced thickness. and the rib 8 being located inwardly of the end of the element at which the wall thereof is of greater thickness. The ribs l and l of each wedge element are o! semlcircular formation. and the ribs of a pair of associated wedge elements are correspondingly located so that the ribs oi each of a pair of associated wedge elements are annular continuations of the ribs of the other of the associated pair o! wedge elements. Between the ribs 1 and I of each of the wedge elements said element is provided with a semieircular cavity i and, also. between the rib l ci each wedge element and the adjacent end of the element a semicircular cavity III is provided (Fig. 2)

Forming parts of the connector A illustrated in Figs. l, 2, and 8, is a pair of nuts Il and i2 which are adapted to be screwed inwardly on the exteriorly screwthreaded cylindrical portions 2 and rI', respectively. Each oi' the nuts Ii and i2 is provided with an end wall I3 through which an opening I4 is formed. the wall of said opening il being adapted to engage the tapered outer surfaces of a pair of wedge elements i and I in a manner and for a purpose to be hereinafter set forth.

In connecting a pair of cables with the aid of the improved connector A iilustratedln Figs. l, 2. and 3. the nuts Il and I2 are passed inwardly of the pair of cables to be connected, the cables being extended through the openings il of the nuts and such cables being designated in the drawings by the reference characters Ca and Cb. A mated pair oi' the wedgeelements l or l is then applied to the end portion of each cable so that the associated pair oi wedge elements embrace the end portion ot the cable to provide same with a tapered and longitudinally split tubu lar structure. 'I'he operator squeezes or 4presses the pair or wedge elements oi each cable end toward each other by hand sumciently to permit the mated wedge elements. with the cable end Dortion therebetween. to be introduced into the opening oi' the appropriate cylindrical portion l or 2' of the body member I oi the connector. The nuts ii and Il are then moved into engagement with the externally screwthreaded cylindrical portions 2 and 2' and are screwed inwardly thereon. As the nuts li and il are screwed inwardly on the 'externally screwthreaded cylindrical portions 2 and l'. the walls of the openings il oi said nuts engage the tapered surfaces of the paired wedge elements l and l and cam said paired wedge elements toward each other so as to compress the end portions oi' the cables therebetween. As a result of the application of compressive iorce to the pairs of wedge elements by the walls ot the openings Il oi the nuts li and I! concentration oi' uniform, high pressure line contact is obtained between the ribs l and l of the wedge elements and the cables with the result that said cables are very securely gripped between the pairs oi' wedge elements. Also, because oi' the presence ci the cavities l and il between the ribs l and l and at ends o! the wedge elements. the application oi compressive force to the cables at the locations of the ribs will cause portions of the cables to spread outwardly into said cavities, as shown in Fig. 2, with the result that a mechanical locking action is obtained between the wedge elements and the cables which eiIectively aids the inward pressure at the ribs 'l and l in resisting stresses which might tend to pull the cables longitudinally from between the wedge elements.

It is important to note that the cavities il, which are located between the ribs l and the adjacent ends oi the wedge elements,`serve to facilitate convenient assembly of the wedge elements l and l with the cable ends. This result i'ollows from the fact that the extreme end portions oi' the cables are usually slightly spread, or mushroomed. due to the cutting of the cables. and these spread or mushroomed end portions may be disposed in the cavities il without any necessity that they be compressed or reformed as would be the case il the cavities il were not provided.

In Fiss. 4 and 6 the invention is illustrated as providing means for connecting an insulated cable Cc to a terminal lug Il. In accordance with this form of the invention the terminal lug il is provided with an o il which receives a pair oi wedge elements I1. ot the construction previouslydcsorlbedheremwithanendportionotthe cable disposed therebetween, said cable end portionhaving the insulation Itrlplled therefrom. The terminal lug ills provided with an externally screwthreaded portion which receives a nutV il made in accordance with the nuts Il and il oi' Fiss. 1 and.2.thewallofthcopening ilotsaid nut ensuing the tapered suriaces oi the wedge elements l'l when said nut is screwed inwardly on thoscrewihreadcdportion'oitheterminallugto compress the wedge elements onto the cable end and therebysecurelyconnectthscabletothetermina! 'lug in the manner previously explained h cooperatively associated with a connector o! the well known split-bolt type to provide a unitary connector structure adapted to make a Ttype connection between conductors. The structure of Figs. il. 7. 8 and 9, includes a body member 2li which is biiurcated in its upper portion to provide a pair of spaced, opstanding legs il which are shaped in cross-section as shown in Fig. 6 and are provided with screwthreads on their outer curved i'aces. The space between the spaced legs Il is shaped at its lower end to provide a conductor seat 22. and associated with the body member 2l is a follower 2! which includes a portion Il which is movable vertically within the space between the legs 2i and is provided with a conductor seat 24'. The follower 28 includes a horizontally disposed portion 25 which is providedl with openings 2l through which the legs li extend, and screwthreadedl y mounted on the screwthreaded legs 2i and arranged in Contact with the washer portion 2i is a nut 2l. The follower 2l is provided at its upper end with lugs 28 which overhang the nut 2l, said nut being rotatable between the washer portion 2l and the lugs 28 and with respect to the spaced legs 2i and the portion 24 of the follower Il disposed between said spaced legs.

The lower portion oi the body member lil or the connector structure shown in Figs. 6, 7, 8, and 9, is externally screwthreaded, as shown at 2l in the Figs. l and 8, and said lowen portion oi said body member has an open-bottom opening 3D formed therein. The opening ll receives a pair oi wedge elements l i. of the type illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 and previously described in detail herein. which wedge elements are arranged in embracing relation with respect to an end portion oi an insulated cable Cd, said end portion of said cable having the insulation stripped therefrom. The connector structure sho in Figs. 6, 7, 8, and 9, includes also a nut l2 which is similar in construction to the nuts ii and il which iorm parts oi the connector illustrated in Figs. i, 2, and 3. said nut being screwthreadedly mounted on the screwthreaded Portion Il oi the body member 20 and having a wall ll through which an opening ll is formed. the wall of which opening engages the tapered surfaces ci the wedge elements ll to torce said Wedge elements toward each other to trip therebetween the end portion oi' the conductor Cd when said nut is screwed upwardly on the screwthreaded portion ll of the body member 2l as has been previously explained herein.

The connector structure illustrated in Figs. 6, '1, 8, and 9, may be applied to an overhead, or other conductor, Ce by removing the nut and iollower assembly and passing the body member 2l into assembled relation with respect to the conductor, in which relation the spaced legs will sti-addio the conductor and said conductor will engage the conductor seat Il. The nut and iollower assembly is then ris-applied to the body member. the nut ll being screwed downwardly on the spaced leas ll until the conductor seat 24' oi' the follower engages the conductor and clamps said conductor between the conductor seat l! of the body member and the conductor seat 24' ot the follower.

I claim:

l. Aconnectoroompnsing abodymemberhaving an externally screwthreaded portion in which a smooth-walled openingis formed. said openin; being oi' substantially constant diameter throuahout its im `and being provided at-its inner m nu. s. 1. s. ma e. the present invention ui u and with a merendine m abnimmt. a plm-a1- 4movement of said ity ci wedge elements oi' arcuate cross-sectional shape and provided with tapered surface portions, said wedge elements being adapted to be arranged in assembled embracing relation with respect to an end portion of a conductor and the end portion of the conductor and the wedge elements assembled with respect thereto being adapted to be introduced into said opening of said body member with the inner ends or the wedge elements in contact engagement with said inner wall oi said opening, and a nut screwthreadedly mounted on the externally screwy threaded end portion o! said body member, said nut being provided with a wall portion having an opening formed therethrough through which said wedge elements extend, and the wall oi' said opening being adapted to engage the tapered surface portions of said wedge elements when the nut is screwed inwardly with `respect to the screwthreaded end portion of said body member in a manner to force said wedge elements into tight gripping contact with the conductor end portion located therebetween, longitudinal movement oi said wedge elements relative to said opening of said body member being prevented during inward nut because of their contact with the inner wall of said opening.

2. A connector comprising a body member having an externally screwthreaded portion in which a smooth-walled opening is formed, said opening being of substantially constant diameterthroughout its length and being provided at its inner end with a wall providing an abutment, a plurality of wedge elements oi arcuate cross-sectional shape and provided with tapered surface portions, raised portions formed on the inner laces of said wedge elements, said wedge elements being adapted to be arranged in assembled embracing relation with respect to an end portion of a conductor and the end portion of the conductor and the wedge elements assembled with respect thereto being adapted to be introduced into said body member with the inner ends of the wedge elements in contact engagement with said inner wall oi said opening, and a nut screwthreadedly mounted on the externally screwthreaded end portion of said body member, said nut being provided with a wall portion having an opening formed therethrough through which said wedge elements extend, and the wall of said opening being adapted to engage the tapered surface portions of said wedge elements when the nut is screwed inwardly with respect to the screwthreaded end portion of said body member in a manner to force the raised portions of said wedge elements into tight gripping contact with the conductor end portion located therebetween, longitudinal movement ci said wedge elements relative to said opening of said body member being prevented during inward movement of said nut because of their contact with the inner wall of said opening.

3. A connector comprising a body member having an externally screwthreaded portion in which a smooth-walled opening is formed, said opening being oi substantially constant diameter throughout its length and being provided at its inner end with a wall providing an abutment. a plurality oi wedge elements of arcuate cross-sectional shape and provided with tapered surface portions, pairs of ribs formed on the inner faces ot said wedge elements in such manner that cavities are provided at said inner faces of said wedge elements adjacent to said ribs. said wedge elements being adapted to be arranged in assembled embracing relation with respect to an end portion of a conductor and the end portion of the conductor and the wedge elements assembled with respect thereto being adapted to be introduced into said opening of said body member with the inner ends oi' the wedge elements in contact engagement with said inner wall of said opening, and a nut screwthreadedly mounted on the externally screwthreaded end portion oi.' said body member, said nut being provided with a wall portion having an opening formed therethrough through which said wedge elements extend, and the wall oi said opening being adapted to engage the tapered surface portions of said wedge elements when the nut is screwed inwardly with respect to the screwthreaded end portion or said body member in a. manner to force the pairs of ribs of said wedge elements into tight gripping contact with' the conductor end portion located therebetween and spread parts of said conductor end portion into said cavities, longitudinal movement of said wedge elements relative to said opening of said body member being prevented during inward movement of said nut because of their contact with the inner wall of said opening.

4. A connector comprising a body member ha'ving an externally screwthreaded portion in which a smooth-walled opening is formed, said opening bein-g ci substantially constant diameter throughout its length and being provided at its inner end with a wall providing an abutment, a plurality of wedge elements oi arcuate cross-sectional shape and provided with tapered surface portions, a pair of ribs formed on the inner face of each of said wedge elements in such manner that a cavity is provided at said inner face between said pair oi ribs and a similar cavity is provided at said inner face between one of the ribs and an adjacent end of the wedge element. said wedge elements being Vadapted to be arranged in assembled embracing relation with respect to an end portion of a conductor and the end portion of the conductor and the wedge elements assembled with respect thereto being adapted to be introduced into said opening oi' said body member with the inner ends of the wedge elements in contact engagement with said inner wall of said opening, and a nut screwthreadedly mounted on the externally screwthreaded end portion of said body member, said nut being provided with a wall portion having an opening formed therethrough through which said wedge elements extend, and the wall of said opening being adapted to engage the tapered surface portions of said wedge elements when the nut is screwed inwardly with respect to the screwthreaded end portion or said body member in a manner to force the ribs ci said wedge elements into tight gripping contact with the conductor end portion located therebetween and spread parts of said conductor end portion into said cavities. longitudinal movement of said wedge elements relative to said opening of said body member being prevented during inward movement of said nut because of their contact with the inner wall oi said opening.

5. A connector comprising a body member having Va pair of opposed externally screwthreaded end portions in which openings having smooth walls are formed, said openings respectively being of substantially constant diameters throughout their lengths and being separated by a wall therebetween at the inner ends ot said openings, pairs of wedge elements o! arcuate cross-sectional shape and provided with tapered surface portions. a pair oi said wedge elements being adapted to be arranged in assembled embracing relation with respect to an end portion of each of a pair ot conductors and said end portions of said conductors and the pairs of wedge elements assembled therewith being adapted to be introduced respectively into the openings of the opposed externally screwthreaded end portions of said body member with the inner ends of said pairs of wedge elements in contact engagement with the opposite faces of the wall between said openings, and nuts screwthreadedly mounted on the opposed externally screwthreaded end portions of said body member, said nuts being provided with wall portions having openings Y formed therethrough through which said wedge elements extend, and the walls oi' said openings being adapted to engage the tapered surface portions of said wedge elements when the nuts are screwed inwardiy with respect to the screwthreaded end portions of said body member in a manner to force said wedge elements into tight gripping contact with the conductor end portions located between said pairs oi wedge elements, longitudinal movement of said wedge elements relative to the openings of said body member in which they are arranged being prevented by the contact of said wedge elements with opposite faces of the wall 10. cated between said openings.

6. A connector comprising a bodyr member having a pair of opposed externally screwthreaded end portions in which openings having smooth walls are formed, said openings respectively being oi substantially constant diameters throughout their lengths and being separated by a wall therebetween at the inner ends of said openings, pairs of wedge elements of arcuate cross-sectional shape and provided with tapered surface portions,

aaaaaes a Pair of said wedge elements being adapted to be arranged in assembled embracing relation with respect to an end portion of each of a pair o! conductors and said end portions of said conductors and the pairs ot wedge elements assembled therewith being adapted to be introduced respectively into the openings oi the opposed externally screwthreaded end portions of said body member with the inner ends of said pairs of wedge eiements in contact engagement with the opposite faces ot the wall between said openings. nuts screwthreadedly mounted on the opposed externally screwthreaded end portions oi' said body member, said nuts being provided with wal1 portions having openings iormed therethrough through which said elements extend, and the walls oi' said openings being adapted to engage the tapered surface portions of said wedge element; when the nuts are screwed inwardly with respect to the screwthreaded end portions of said body member in a manner to force said wedge elements into tight slipping contact with the conductor end portions located between said pairs of wedge elements. and pairs of ribs formed on the inner faces of said wedge elements. said ribs providlng cavities at the inner faces of said wedge elements into which parts of the end portions or the conductors are spread so as to increase the gripping eii'ect between the wedge elements and the conductors, longitudinal movement of said wedge elements relative to the openings oi said body member in which they are arranged being prevented `by the contact of said wedge elements with opposite faces of the wall located between said openings.

FRANK M. KRATOVILLE.

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