US3309644A

US3309644A - Electrical connector

Info

Publication number: US3309644A
Application number: US450732A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ronald L Zubko
Original assignee: Clark Equipment Co
Current assignee: Doosan Bobcat North America Inc
Priority date: 1965-04-26
Filing date: 1965-04-26
Publication date: 1967-03-14
Anticipated expiration: 1984-03-14

Description

March 14, 1967 R. L. ZUBKO ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 26, 1965 FlG. I

FlG. 2

INVENTOR RONALD L. ZUBKO ATTORNEY March 14, 1967 R ZUBKO ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 26, 1965 INVENTOR RONALD L. ZUBKO ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,399,644 ELECTRIQAL (IONNECTGR Ronald L. Zubko, Michigan City, Ind, assignot: to Clark Equipment Company, a corporation of Michigan Filed Apr. 26, 1965, Ser. No. 450,732 9 Claims. (Ci. 339-97) This invention relates to marker lamps for use with semi-trailers and the like, and more specifically to an electrical connector which provides a connection point suitable for use with different types of marker lamps.

Semi-trailers, for example, are required by law to have marker lights on the sides, front and rear thereof. Because of the construction of the semi-trailer it is often advantageous to have one type of marker lamp which is intended to be secured to the top side longerons of ti e semi-trailer and another type of lamp which is better suited to be attached to the front and rear ends of the semi-trailer. It is common practice to run a wire longitudinally along the top side longerons of a semi-trailer and have the marker lamps provide-d with a recess along the bottom thereof to accept the wire and have a bayonet type piercing connector for providing the electrical connection between the insulated conductor and the lamp. An example of such an arrangement is shown in US. Patent No. 3,087,051 issued to I. 1. Black on Apr. 23, 1963. On the other hand, where the back and front ends of a semi-trailer are concerned it is often desirable to use a marker lamp having afiat back from which a short length of insulated conductor, commonly referred to as a pigtail, protrudes and which is connected to the main electrical conductor which normally is carried inside the semi-trailer wall. Thus, as can be seen it is not unusual to utilize two or more types of marker lamps on a single semi-trailer. Such an arrangement is undesirable from a purchasing standpoint because of the need of maintaining an inventory of two or more different types of marker lamps. Further, it is undesirable from a manufacturing standpoint because of the different operations required for connecting the different types of marker lamps to the electrical circuit of the semi-trailer.

In view of the foregoing, it is a principal object of my invention to provide an electrical connector which permits the use of the same type of marker lamp whether the main electrical conductor is carried on the outside of the semi-trailer or on the inside of the semi-trailer.

Another object of my invention is to provide an electrical connector which is suitable for use with widely varying types of marker lamps.

A further object of my invention is to provide an inexpensive, readily manufactured electrical connector.

In carrying out my invention in a preferred embodi ment thereof, I provide a generally T-shaped electrical connector which has a cross-bar to which a stem is attached. The connector includes a first bore which extends the length of the stem and through the cross-bar. Also, a partition divides the bore into two parts along part of the length thereof. The connector is adapted to have the stem thereof inserted into an opening in a trailer tall, for example, until the cross-bar abuts the wall. A conductor is then brought from the inside of the wall through the bore, around the partition, and then back through the bore. The connector also is provided with a second bore in the cross-bar which extends into it from one side thereof and a substantially smalier diameter bore which extends from one end of the cross-bar to the first bore and intersects the second bore. A marker lamp assembly can then be attached to the trailer wall in overlying relation to the crossbar so that the type which is provided with a bayonet piercing member can pierce the conductor which is doubled over the partition to proilihibi i ice vide an electrical connection, or, if the type of marker lamp which is used is provided with a pigtail, the end of the pigtail can be inserted into the second bore and then a wire brad or the like can be inserted through the third bore to provide an electrical connection between the conductor and the pigtail.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of my invention will become more readily apparent to one skilled in the art when the following detailed description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an exploded isometric view of my invention in conjunction with a marker lamp having a bayonet piercing member for making electrical connection between the lamp and the conductor held in place by the anchor,

FIGURE 2 is an exploded isometric view of my invention in conjunction with another type of marker lamp in which a short length of flexible conductor extends from the lamp and is used to make electrical connection with the conductor carried by the anchor.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged view partially in cross-section of the parts shown in FIG. 1 in assembled relation,

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged view in partial cross-section of the parts shown in FIG. 2 in assembled relation, and

FIGURES 5, 6 and 7 show plan, side and end views, respectively, of the electrical connector.

Referring now to the drawing, the reference numeral 10 denotes generally a sheet or plate which is shown in phantom outline in FIGS. 1 and 2. Plate 19 preferably is aluminum, although other similar materials may be used, and will be assumed for purposes of discussion to form a portion of a semi-trailer wall to which it is desired to attach a marker lamp. Plate 16 includes an annular opening 12 therein which receives an electrical connector 14 to which a flexible insulated conductor 16 is connected. A marker lamp assembly is arranged to be secured to plate It) in overlying relation relative to con nector 14 by sheet metal screws 20.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, electrical connector 14 will be described in detail. Connector 14 is molded preferably of a non-conductive plastic and includes a generally rectangular elongated cross-bar 22 and a stem 24 connected to cross-bar 22 intermediate the ends thereof. Stern 24 is generally circular in cross-section and has a slight taper toward the end 26 opposite cross-bar 2. Extending longitudinally of crossbar 22 in the top surface thereof is a groove 28. Extending through stem 24 between end 26 and groove 28 is a pair of bores or passages 30 which are separated by a partition 32. While connector 14 has been characterized as having a pair of bores oil in stem 24 which is separated by a partition, this arrangement can be characterized as a single bore which is separated by a partition which extends partially along the length of the bore. Extending into cross-bar 22 from one side thereof is a bore 34 which is adapted to receive a conductor as will be explained later. Another bore 36 extends between groove 28 and one end of cross-bar 22 and intersects bore 4, as shown.

Referring back now to the other figures, connector 14 is adapted to have stem 24 inserted through opening 12 in plate it and cross-bar 22 disposed in abutment with one side of plate It Connector 14 is held in place by means of a tubular member 38 which telescopes over stem 24 frictionally engaging it, and has one end thereof in abutment with the other side of plate 19. Now, a flexible insulated conductor 16 is extended through tubular member 38, through one of the bores 36, around partition 32 and back down the other of bores 39.

As will now be appreciated, by passing conductor 16 through connector 14 as described hereinabove con- -conductor 58 extends.

ductor 1-6 is held in a given location on the outside of plate It) so that it is readily connectible to different types of market lamp assemblies.

With connector 14 held in place in plate It) and conductor 16 disposed in connector 14 as described hereinabove, it is a simple matter to secure a marker lamp assembly 18 of the type shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 to plate 10 and electrically connect it to conductor 16. Marker lamp assembly 13 has a recess 40 which extends along the back thereof and which is adapted to receive crossbar 22 of connector 14. Disposed in recess 49 is a sharp piercing member or bayonet 4.2 of any suitable conductive material. Also mounted on the back of the assembly 18 is a pair of serrated metallic projections 44 which serve to engage plate 10 and ground assembly 18 to plate it).

In mounting assembly 18 on plate 10, assembly 18 is disposed in overlying relation to cross-bar 22 so that cross-bar 22 is received in recess 49 substantially centrally longitudinally thereof. Then, screws 26 are inserted through openings 46 in assembly 18 to engage plate 10. Screws 2 3 are then tightened down to draw the back of assembly 18 into abutment with plate 10, whereupon bayonet member 42 pierces the insulation of conductor 16 to complete an electrical connection between conductor 16 and assembly 18 and at the same time members 44 ground assembly 18 to plate 10. As a result, a completed electrical circuit is provided through conductor 16 by which an electrical current passes through conductor 16, assembly 18 and then to plate It as is conventional in grounded electrical systems in the automotive art.

Connector 14 also makes it a simple matter to mount a marker lamp assembly 48 of the type shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 to plate 10. Marker lamp assembly 48 has a flat back from which a short length of a flexible insulated conductor 5t} extends centrally thereof and is commonly referred to in the art as a pigtail. A mounting plate 52 of at least the same thickness as cross arm 22 is disposed intermediate plate 19 and the back of marker lamp assembly 43 and has an opening 54 therein through which The free end of conductor St" is inserted in bore 34 (FIG. 5) of connector 14. After the free end of conductor 59 is inserted in bore 34 a conductor member 56 is then inserted in bore 36 to elec trically connect conductor 59 with conductor 16. In practice, I have found that a common wire brad serves very well as conductor 56. After conductor 56 is inserted in bore 36 the excess length of conductor 53 is coiled within opening 54 as mounting plate 52 is brought into abutment with plate 1t} and the back of assembly 48 is placed in abutment with mounting plate 52. Screws 2% are extended through

suitable screw openings

58 and 60 in assembly 48 and plate 52, respectively, to threadably engage plate It and hold assembly 48, plate 52 and plate 10 in assembled relation.

While my invention has been described in conjunction with a grounded electrical circuit for a semi-trailer, it will be readily appreciated that it is not limited in application to a grounded type electrical circuit nor, for that matter, limited in application to vehicles. The abovedetailed description is intended to be illustrative only :and the scope of my invention should be determined from the following appended claims.

I claim:

1. An article of manufacture comprising a cross-bar, :a stem connected to said cross-bar intermediate the ends thereof, a groove in said cross-bar, a pair of passages extending between said groove and the end of said stem opposite said cross-bar, a first bore in said cross-bar, and a second bore in said cross-bar which connects with said groove and intersects said first bore.

2. An electrical connector comprising an elongated cross-bar having a generally rectangular cross-section, a

cylindrical stem extending from said crossbar intermediate the ends thereof, a longitudinally extending groove in the surface of said cross-bar opposite said stem, a pair of substantially parallel bores in said stern which extend between said groove and the end of said stem opposite said cross-bar, a third bore in said cross-bar which extends into said cross-bar from one side thereof, and a fourth bore in said cross-bar which extends between said groove and one of the ends of said cross-bar and intersects said third bore.

3. For use with a vehicle having a grounded electrical system and a conductive plate with an opening therein,

'the combination of an electrical connector having a crossbar, a stem extending from said cross-bar intermediate the ends thereof and a pair of bores extending through said stern between said cross-bar and the end of said stern opposite said cross-bar, said connector being disposed so that said stem extends through the opening and said cross-bar abuts one surface of the plate, an elongated flexible conductor extending through the opening and one of said bores from the other side of the plate and then back through the other of said bores, and a tubular member through which said conductor extends, said tubular member frictionally engaging said stem and being disposed to abut the other side of the plate so that said conductor is held in place in the opening.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 3 and including a lamp assembly attached to the plate, a recess which receives said cross-bar and connection means for electrically connecting said assembly to said conductor.

5. The combination as set forth in claim 3 and including a lamp assembly attached to the plate, a separate mounting plate with an opening therein which receives said crossbar, said mounting plate being disposed between the plate and said assembly, and means for electrically connecting said assembly to said conductor.

6. A combined electrical connector and conductor anchor comprising a cross-bar, a stem connected to said cross-bar intermediate the ends thereof, a pair of bores extending the length of said stem and through said crossbar, a third. bore in said cross-bar, and a fourth bore in said cross-bar which connects with one of said pair of bores and intersects said third bore.

7. An article of manufacture comprising a cross-bar, a stem connected to said crossbar intermediate the ends thereof, a first bore extending the length of said stem and through said bross-bar, a partition extending partially along the length of said bore to divide said bore into two parts for a portion of its length, a second bore disposed in said cross-bar, and a third bore connecting with said first and intersecting said second bore.

S. For use with a plate having an annular opening therein, the combination of an electrical connector having a generally rectangularly shaped cross-bar, a cylindrically shaped stem connected to said cross-bar intermediate the ends thereof, a bore which extends the length of said stem and through said cross-bar and a partition which extends partially along the length of said bore and divides said bore into two parts along part of its length, said connector being disposed so that said stem extends through the opening and said cross-bar abuts one side of the plate, a tubular member disposed to frictionally engage said stem and abut the other side of the plate, an elongated flexible conductor which extends from the other side of the plate through said tubular member, the opening and said bore, around said partition and then back through said bore, and a lamp assembly secured to the plate in overlying relation relative to said cross-bar, said assembly having a bottom, a recess in said bottom which receives said cross-bar so that said bottom can be mounted flush against the plate and a piercing connector located in said recess for electrically connecting said conductor and said assembly when said assembly is secured to the plate.

9. For use with a plate having an annular opening therein, the combination of an electrical connector having a generally rectangularly shaped cross-bar, a cylindrically shaped stern connected to said cross-bar intermediate the ends thereof, a bore which extends the length of said stem and through said cross-bar, a partition which extends partially along the length of said bore and divides said here into two parts along a part of its length, a second bore extending into said cross-bar from one side thereof and a thirdbore which connects said first bore and one end of said cross-bar and intersects said second bore, said connector being disposed so that said stem extends through the opening and said cross-bar abuts one side of the plate, a tubular member disposed to friction-ally engage said stern and abut the other side of the plate, a first elongated flexible conductor which extends from the other side of the plate through said tubular member, the opening and said bore, around said partition and then back through said bore, a mounting plate having an opening therein which receives said cross-bar,

a lamp assembly secured to the plate in overlying relation relative to said cross-bar and with said mounting plate located intermediate said assembly and the plate, said assembly having a second elongated flexible conductor with a free end, the free end of which is inserted into said second bore, and a third conductor inserted in said third bore for electrically connecting said first and second conductors.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/1952 Cotter 28776 1/1960 Buck 2408.2

Claims

1. AN ARTICLE OF MANUFACTURE COMPRISING A CROSS-BAR, A STEM CONNECTED TO SAID CROSS-BAR INTERMEDIATE THE ENDS THEREOF, A GROOVE IN SAID CROSS-BAR, A PAIR OF PASSAGES EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID GROOVE AND THE END OF SAID STEM OPPOSITE SAID CROSS-BAR, A FIRST BORE IN SAID CROSS-BAR, AND A SECOND BORE IN SAID CROSS-BAR WHICH CONNECTS WITH SAID GROOVE AND INTERSECTS SAID FIRST BORE.