초록 ▼

An electrical connector forms electrical contact by tightening of a movable, electrically-conductive spiral around un-insulated wire or wires. The spiral coils around the wire multiple times and tightens on the wire(s) when either one or the other end, or both ends, of the spiral is/are rotated rela

An electrical connector forms electrical contact by tightening of a movable, electrically-conductive spiral around un-insulated wire or wires. The spiral coils around the wire multiple times and tightens on the wire(s) when either one or the other end, or both ends, of the spiral is/are rotated relative to the other. One region of the spiral is preferably fixed to an insulating housing or otherwise retainer from movement in the housing, while another region of the spiral may be rotated for the tightening on the wire and then preferably latched to the housing so that the spiral remains in the tightened condition. A terminal end may extend from the spiral, or connectors without a terminal end may be used to electrically connect wires to each other that extend from and to other equipment not located on the connector itself. Multiple spirals may be provided in one connector, including spirals that tighten around separate wires at opposite ends/side of the connector. Various styles of connectors are made possibly, including modular connectors that may be assembled in multiple combinations.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A modular electrical connector for connecting uninsulated wire ends, the connector comprising:an electrically-conductive spiral unit comprising a holder tube and a spiral generally transverse to the holder tube, wherein the spiral coils around and defines an axial passag

The invention claimed is: 1. A modular electrical connector for connecting uninsulated wire ends, the connector comprising:an electrically-conductive spiral unit comprising a holder tube and a spiral generally transverse to the holder tube, wherein the spiral coils around and defines an axial passageway, and, in a relaxed-configuration, has a relaxed internal diameter; andan electrically-insulating housing surrounding the spiral unit and comprising a main body surrounding the holder tube and an inner end of the spiral, and an end cap surrounding an outer end of the spiral;wherein said end cap comprises a central bore with an outer opening generally coaxial with and in communication with said axial passageway of the spiral, for receiving uninsulated wire ends through said outer opening and into said axial passageway of the spiral when the spiral is in the relaxed configuration;wherein said main body and said end cap are rotatable relative to each other to rotate the outer end of the spiral relative to the inner end of the spiral and relative to the holder tube, to tighten said spiral into a tightened-configuration having a tightened internal diameter that is smaller than said relaxed internal diameter, for gripping said uninsulated wire ends to place said spiral and said holder tube in electrical contact with said wire ends; andwherein the electrical connector further comprises a latch that retains the spiral in said tightened-configuration after relative rotation of the main body and the end cap and for retaining said wire ends inside, and in electrical contact with, said spiral unit.