Sectional tap connector

Sept. 5, 1967

Filed Sept. 8, 1966

W. TEAGNO ETAL 3,340,352

SECTIONAL TAP CONNECTOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1

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Sept. 5, 1967

W. TEAGNO ETAL

SECTIONAL TAP CONNECTOR

Filed Sept, s, 1966

3,340,352

Sheets-Sheet 3

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United States Patent Office

3,340,352

Patented Sept. 5, 1967

3,340,352

,. . SECTIONAL TAP CONNECTOR Wladimiro Teagno and Franco Trevisiol, Turin Italy.

assignors to AMP Incorporated, Harrisburg, Pa.

. Filed Sept. 8, 1966, Ser. No. 577,959

Claims priority, application Italy, Sept. 11.1965 20,233/65 ’ ’

Claims. (Cl. 174—94)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

A connector assembly having a plurality of connector elements held in side-by-side relationship by holding means, the connector elements having apertures in alignment defining a passageway for receiving a tap conductor therein and slots in alignment defining another passageway for engaging a section of a line conductor, the connector assembly,, upon crimping pressure being applied thereto, being crimped onto the tap conductor and section of the line conductor .thereby effecting an electrical ana mechanical connection therebetween.

This invention relates to electrical connectors and is particularly concerned with a tap connector for securing the end of. a tap-lead to a continuous lead at an intermediate point in a single crimping operation.

An electrical connector according to the present invention comprises a plurality of relatively flat members arranged m a side-by-side manner, each member being formed with a pair of spaced apertures, at least one of the apertures opening to an edge of the member to define a slot, and tie means extending through the members for securing them in side-by-side relationship with respective apertures aligned to define passageways through the connector.

Consequently, it is an object of this invention to provide a splice connector for connecting a tap conductor to an intermediate point of an existing conductor line.

Another object is to provide a splice connector wherein a plurality of flat members are arranged in a side-by-side manner to form the connector.

Still another object is to provide connector tie means extending through the flat members for securing them in a side-by-side relationship.

Other objects and attainments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which there are shown and. described preferred embodiments of the invention; it is to be understood, however, that these embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive nor limiting of the invention, but are given for purposes of illustration in order that others skilled in the art may more fully understand the invention and the principles thereof and the manner of applying it in practical use so that they may modify it in various forms, each as may be best suited to the conditions of the particular use.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference.to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an exploded and perspective view of one connector embodiment;

FIGURE 2 is an exploded and perspective view of a second embodiment;

FIGURE 2A is a fragmentary longitudinal cross section of the connector of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 3 is an exploded and perspective view of a third embodiment;

FIGURE 4 is an exploded and perspective view of a fourth embodiment; and ^{5 is an exploded} and perspective view of a fifth embodiment.

The connector illustrated in FIGURE 1 comprises a series of identical flat members 1 formed by stamping trom flat stock and each comprising an aperture 2 -and a U-shaped slot 3. Intermediate the slot and the aperture, ^eaj ™^ember !^s f°{nied with a pair of spaced bores 4 for slidably receiving tie rods 5 arranged to extend longitudinally of the connector to secure the flat members 1 to.κ^Γ' J^{he tle rods 5 serve t0 abgn} apertures 2 and slots 3 i nat members to define in the connector an open slot 6 for receiving a line conductor intermediate the ends ot the line, and a passage 7 for receiving the end of a tap conductor. ^v

The connector is crimped about a pair of conductors (not shown) to close the sidewalls of the slot 6 about the line conductor and to compress the connector about the line and tap conductors to effect a secure electrical and mechanical connection between the line and the tap

In the embodiment of FIGURE 2 the slots 3' in alternate members are less deep than in the other members ^s*^epp®^{d floor} ί° ^sl°t 6 is defined as seen in FIGURE 2A. Upon crimping, the line conductor is deformed around the stepped floor in corrugated manner to effect an improved connection.

In the embodiment of FIGURE 3, alternate sides of slots 3 of successive members are cut away at 3 so that upon crimping, the sides 3' of the members are folded over the line conductor and extend toward or engage respective sides 3. ^{s S}

In the embodiment of FIGURE 4, the slots 3 are open at sides of the members 1 to define a C-shaped slot 7 extending along a side of the connector.

In the embodiment of FIGURE 5, the slots 3 are similarly formed as those of the FIGURE 4 embodiment and are of C-shape. Alternate members 1 are arranged with sides 3A of the slots on an opposite side of the connector to those of the other members 1. The members 1 are secured together by a sleeve 8 slidable through the passage 7 so that the members 1 are rotatable about the sleeves.

In operation, the connector is assembled to a line conductor by rotating the members 1 in opposite senses about the sleeve to open all of the slots 3 upwardly. The members 3 are then hooked over the line and returned to the FIGURE 5 condition. The connector is thus supported on the line against inadvertent dislodgement. The tap conductor is then inserted in the sleeve 8 and the connector crimped to compress the members 1 around the line and the tap conductors.

Changes in construction will occur to those skilled in the art and various apparently different modifications and embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only. The actual scope of the invention is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective against the prior art.