Patent ID: 7077681
Filing Date: 2006-07-18
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
1. A welding connector assembly for joining two welding cables, said welding connector assembly comprising: a pair of welding connectors, each welding connector including: a body constructed from electrically-conductive material and including receiver means for securely receiving in electrically-conducting relation an exposed end of a respective one of said welding cables; and a tubular sleeve constructed from electrically-insulative material, the sleeve, in use, forming a grip for the body and receiving the body in a manner which provides access to the receiver means of the body for the exposed end of said respective cable at one end and which provides access to the body at the other end; said pair of welding connectors having: an initial position wherein they define a longitudinal axis and wherein the tubular sleeves are disposed in end-to-end relation, aligned with the longitudinal axis and with the other ends of the tubular sleeves disposed adjacent one another; primary locking means: for locking the welding connectors against longitudinal displacement from one another upon rotation of the welding connectors relative to one another about the longitudinal axis from the initial position to a locking position; and for permitting electrical conduction between the bodies when the welding connectors are locked against longitudinal displacement; and a secondary lock for selectively arresting rotation of the welding connectors relative to one another about the longitudinal axis, said secondary lock comprising a groove formed in each welding connector, the grooves being arranged so as to align with one another when the welding connectors are disposed at the locking position; and a slide for one of said grooves, the slide including a tongue portion mounted for sliding movement in said one groove and moveable, through manual manipulation and when the welding connectors are disposed at the locking position, between a retracted position, whereat it lies apart from the other of said grooves, and an extended position, whereat it projects from said one groove into the other of said grooves.