Set screw connector with anti-backout lock

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10601150-B2
Application number	US-201816180662-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 5, 2018
Priority date	Dec 1, 2016
Publication date	Mar 24, 2020
Grant date	Mar 24, 2020

Abstract

An electrical connector is configured to couple an electrical conductor to a support surface of an electrical device. The electrical connector includes a terminal block having a connecting aperture and a threaded aperture. The connecting aperture is configured to receive the electrical conductor. The electrical connector also includes a fastener having threads receivable within the threaded aperture. The fastener is configured to move in a first rotational direction relative to the threaded aperture. The electrical connector further includes a lock configured to be positioned between the electrical conductor and the fastener to engage the electrical conductor and the fastener. Rotation of the fastener in the first rotational direction causes the lock to secure the electrical conductor against movement relative to the terminal block.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An electrical connector configured to couple an electrical conductor to a support surface of an electrical device, the electrical connector comprising:
a terminal block including a connecting aperture and a threaded aperture, the connecting aperture configured to receive the electrical conductor;
a fastener including threads receivable within the threaded aperture, the fastener configured to move in a first rotational direction relative to the threaded aperture; and
a lock configured to be positioned between the electrical conductor and the fastener to engage the electrical conductor and the fastener, rotation of the fastener in the first rotational direction causing the lock to secure the electrical conductor against movement relative to the terminal block,
wherein the lock restricts movement of the fastener in a second rotational direction, and wherein movement of the fastener in the second rotational direction is configured to release the electrical conductor from the terminal block.

2. The electrical connector of claim 1 , wherein the lock is sized to be receivable within the threaded aperture.

3. The electrical connector of claim 2 , wherein the lock includes a first side having teeth, and wherein the teeth of the first side are configured to engage one of the fastener and the electrical conductor.

4. The electrical connector of claim 3 , wherein the lock includes a second side opposite the first side having teeth, and wherein the teeth of the second side are configured to engage the other of the fastener and the electrical conductor.

5. The electrical connector of claim 4 , wherein the lock is a washer.

6. The electrical connector of claim 2 , wherein a maximum dimension of the lock is less than a diameter of the threaded aperture such that the lock non-threadably engages the threaded aperture.

7. The electrical connector of claim 1 , wherein the terminal block is an L-shaped terminal block including a first portion and a second portion, and wherein the first portion is configured to extend further from the support surface of the electrical device than the second portion.

8. The electrical connector of claim 7 , wherein the connecting aperture and the threaded aperture are formed within the first portion of the terminal block, and wherein the second portion includes a mounting aperture configured to receive a fastener to fasten the electrical connector to the electrical device.

9. An electrical connector configured to couple an electrical conductor to a support surface of an electrical device, the electrical connector comprising:
a terminal block including a connecting aperture and a threaded aperture, the connecting aperture configured to receive the electrical conductor;
a lock including threads to be receivable within the threaded aperture, the lock configured to move in a first rotational direction about an axis to secure the electrical conductor against movement relative to the terminal block, the lock configured to move in a second rotational direction about the axis to release the electrical conductor from the terminal block; and
a locking fastener engageable with the lock, a force being exerted on a portion of one of the lock and the locking fastener in a radial direction relative to the axis to inhibit movement of the lock in the second rotational direction.

10. The electrical connector of claim 9 , wherein one of the lock and the locking fastener includes a protrusion, wherein the other one of the lock and the locking fastener includes a recess sized to receive the protrusion, and wherein at least one of the protrusion and the recess is eccentric relative to the axis.

11. The electrical connector of claim 10 , wherein the locking fastener includes the protrusion and the lock includes the recess, and wherein the protrusion is eccentric relative to the axis.

12. The electrical connector of claim 9 , wherein the locking fastener includes threads to be receivable within the threaded aperture.

13. The electrical connector of claim 12 , wherein the lock is configured to be positioned between the locking fastener and the electrical conductor in a direction along the axis.

14. The electrical connector of claim 9 , wherein the lock includes a drive portion configured to receive a tool to move the lock in the first rotational direction and the second rotational direction.

15. The electrical connector of claim 9 , wherein the locking fastener disengages the lock to permit movement of the lock in the second rotational direction.

16. The electrical connector of claim 9 , wherein the terminal block is an L-shaped terminal block including a first portion and a second portion, and wherein the first portion is configured to extend further from the support surface of the electrical device than the second portion.

17. The electrical connector of claim 16 , wherein the connecting aperture and the threaded aperture are formed within the first portion of the terminal block, and wherein the second portion includes a mounting aperture configured to receive a fastener to fasten the electrical connector to the electrical device.

18. An electrical connector configured to couple an electrical conductor to a support surface of an electrical device, the electrical connector comprising:
a terminal block including a first aperture and a second aperture, the first aperture configured to receive the electrical conductor;
a locking fastener receivable within the second aperture, the locking fastener configured to move into a first position in which the electrical conductor is secured against movement relative to the terminal block, the locking fastener configured to move into a second position in which the electrical conductor is releasable from the terminal block; and
a lock engaging the locking fastener to inhibit movement of the locking fastener from the first position to the second position, the lock disengaging the locking fastener to permit movement of the locking fastener from the first position to the second position.

19. The electrical connector of claim 18 , wherein the lock engages the locking fastener such that a force is exerted on a portion of one of the lock and the locking fastener in a radial direction relative to a central axis of the second aperture to inhibit movement of the locking fastener in the second rotational direction.

Assignees

• Hubbell Inc

Inventors

• Ruland Rodd

Classifications

• H01R4/36

  Conductive members located under tip of screw · CPC title

• H01R4/302 Primary

  having means for preventing loosening of screw or nut, e.g. vibration-proof connection · CPC title