Electrical connector with shearable fastener

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016298670-A1
Application number	US-201415100457-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 25, 2014
Priority date	Dec 2, 2013
Publication date	Oct 13, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A fastener ( 20 ) includes a head ( 22 ), a base ( 26 ), a shearable section ( 24 ), and a removable blocking insert ( 50 ). The head ( 22 ) has an inner surface ( 30 ) that includes a first socket ( 36 ) for receiving a drive tool (T). The base ( 26 ) includes an outer surface ( 38 ) having a base thread ( 44 ). The shearable section ( 24 ) is positioned between the head ( 22 ) and the base ( 26 ) and has a predetermined torque limit. The removable blocking insert ( 50 ) is positioned to hinder access of a drive tool (T) to the base ( 26 ).

First claim

1 . A fastener comprising:
a head having an inner surface including a first socket for receiving a drive tool; a base including an outer surface having a base thread; a shearable section positioned between and connecting said head and said base having a predetermined torque limit; and a removable blocking insert positioned to hinder access of a drive tool to said base, wherein said blocking insert is removable prior to separating said head from said base.

2 . The fastener of claim 1 , wherein said head includes an outer surface having a head thread.

3 . The fastener of claim 2 , wherein said head thread and said base thread have the same pitch.

4 . The fastener of claim 1 , wherein said base includes a second socket.

5 . The fastener of claim 4 , wherein said second socket has the same size as said first socket.

6 . The fastener of claim 4 , wherein said first socket has a first hexagonal configuration and said second socket has a second hexagonal configuration.

7 . The fastener of claim 4 , wherein said first socket has a hexagonal configuration and said second socket has a non-hexagonal configuration.

8 . The fastener of claim 1 , wherein said blocking insert is positioned at least partially in said shearable section.

9 . The fastener of claim 1 , wherein said blocking insert is positioned at least partially in said base.

10 . The fastener of claim 1 , wherein said blocking insert includes a ring.

11 . The fastener of claim 1 , wherein said blocking insert is compressible.

12 . The fastener of claim 1 , wherein said shearable section includes an interior cavity and said blocking insert has a diameter greater than a cross dimension of said interior cavity and forms an interference friction fit with said interior cavity.

13 - 16 . (canceled)

17 . A fastener comprising:
a head having an inner surface including a first socket for receiving a drive tool; a base having an inner surface including a second socket for receiving a drive tool and an outer surface having a thread; a shearable section positioned between and connecting said head and said base having a predetermined torque limit and an inner surface; and a removable blocking insert positioned to hinder access of a drive tool to said second socket, wherein said blocking insert is positioned at least partially in said shearable section.

18 . The fastener of claim 17 , wherein said second socket has the same size as said first socket.

19 . The fastener of claim 17 , wherein said first socket has a first hexagonal configuration and said second socket has a second hexagonal configuration

20 . The fastener of claim 17 , wherein said first socket has a hexagonal configuration and said second socket has a non-hexagonal configuration.

21 . (canceled)

22 . The fastener of claim 17 , wherein said blocking insert is positioned at least partially in said base.

23 . The fastener of claim 17 , wherein said blocking insert includes a compressible ring forming an interference fit inside the fastener.

24 . The fastener of claim 17 , wherein said shearable section includes an interior cavity bound by said inner surface and said blocking insert has a diameter greater than a cross dimension of said interior cavity.

25 . (canceled)

26 . (canceled)

27 . The fastener of claim 25 , wherein said blocking insert is prevented from being removed prior to said head separating from said base.

28 - 31 . (canceled)

32 . A method of connecting an electrical conductor to a connector block comprising:
inserting an electrical conductor into a first aperture of a connector block; inserting a shearable fastener having a head, a base, a shearable section including a torque limit, and a removable blocking insert into a second aperture of the connector block, the shearable fastener aligned to engage the inserted electrical conductor; inserting a tool into the head of the shearable fastener until the tool engages the blocking insert; rotating the shearable fastener into the connector block until the torque limit is exceeded; separating the head of the fastener from the base; and removing the blocking insert from the shearable fastener.

33 . The method of claim 32 , further comprising:
inserting the tool into the base of the shearable fastener after removing the blocking insert; and rotating the shearable fastener out of engagement with the conductor.

34 . (canceled)

Assignees

• Hubbell Inc

Inventors

• Diniz Milton Egas
• Nishimura Gustavo Ferreira

Classifications

• F16B31/021 Primary

  by means of a frangible part (F16B31/025, F16B31/028 take precedence; break members in torque limiters or torque indicators in wrenches or screwdrivers B25B23/1415) · CPC title

• H01R4/36

  Conductive members located under tip of screw · CPC title

• F16B35/005

  Set screws; Locking means therefor · CPC title

• H01R43/04

  for forming connections by deformation, e.g. crimping tool · CPC title