Abstract:
A new connector for attaching conductor wires to a metersocket is disclosed. The design of the connector allows the wires to be laid in along the side of the connector and requires little bending and slack in the wire. Once seated in place, the connector can be secured using a set screw that keeps the conductor wire in place.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention is generally directed toward an electrical connector. More specifically, it is directed toward wiring connectors used in the bases of metersockets. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Electrical wiring connections often must be made in confined spaces. This is particularly problematic in the case of metersockets where all connections must be made within the metersocket base. The service entrance line and load conductors that are used with metersockets are typically made of a very large gauge wire that is capable of handling amperage required by the building. Due to their thickness and stiffness, the large gauge wires are very difficult to maneuver into proper position within the metersocket base. 
         [0003]    In order to attach the service entrance line and load conductors to the meter base, a portion of the insulating jacket is removed from the conductor, exposing strands of wire. The conductor is, then, bent at an angle so that it is perpendicular to an opening in the connector just slightly larger than the conductor. The bare end of the conductor is, then, pushed through the opening of the connector and secured by torquing a lug or set screw in the conductor. Due to the confined spaces within the meter base, the thickness of the wire, and the desire to have very little slack in the conductor, it is very difficult to maneuver the conductor into the opening in the connector. Furthermore, because the conductor has been stripped of insulation at the tip, the conductor may fray as it is maneuvered into place. The frayed strands of conductor make it even more difficult to insert into the small opening in the connector. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    An improved electrical connector is disclosed which allows the conductors to be attached to the connector through the side of the connector instead of pushing the conductor through a hole in the connector. The conductors can simply be laid into place on the connector and, then, secured with the set screw. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    Further advantages of the invention will become apparent by reference to the detailed description of preferred embodiments when considered in conjunction with the drawings: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1A  depicts an embodiment of the claimed connector in the open position. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1B  depicts an embodiment of the claimed connector in the closed position. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2A  is a top plan view of an embodiment of the claimed device. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2B  depicts an embodiment of the claimed connector in the open position. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3A  is a top plan view of an embodiment of the claimed device. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3B  depicts an embodiment of the claimed connector in the open position. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4A  depicts an embodiment of the connector for use with a hub bus. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4B  depicts an embodiment of the connector without a mounting bracket. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    The following detailed description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. For purposes of explanation, specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that these specific details are not required to practice the invention. Descriptions of specific applications are provided only as representative examples. Various modifications to the preferred embodiments will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the scope of the invention. The present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest possible scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. 
         [0015]    Referring to the drawings,  FIG. 1A  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the connector. In one embodiment, the connector comprises of a connector body  100  having an upper member  102  and a lower support member  104 . When installed in a meter base, lower support member  104  would be closest to the back panel of the meter base, and upper member  102  would face out toward the meter. The connector body also includes a mounting bracket  106  for attaching the connector to the meter base. The mounting bracket  106  may be located anywhere on the connector body to allow for different mounting scenarios. For example, if the connectors are to be used with a bus bar, mounting bracket  106  may be located closer to lower support member  104 , as depicted in  FIG. 4A . As can be seen from  FIG. 4B , the connector can be designed without a mounting bracket  106  with the lower support member  104  being mounted directly to the base by use of a bolt passing through connector body  100 . 
         [0016]    The connector has a moving part, referred to herein as pivoting wall  108 . This pivoting wall  108  attaches to lower support member  104  by means of hinge  112 . Cable cradle  116  extends out from pivoting wall  108  toward inner sidewall  110 . Pivoting wall  108  can pivot about hinge  112  to an open position, as depicted in  FIG. 1A , and to a closed position, as depicted in  FIG. 1B . In an open position, the gap between pivoting wall  108  and upper member  102  is wider than the diameter of conductor  114  so that the conductor  114  can pass through the gap and be laid against cable cradle  116 . Once the conductor  114  has been laid against cable cradle  116 , pivoting wall  108  can be moved to a closed position, causing conductor  114  to be trapped within the recessed space defined by the upper member  102 , inner sidewall  110  and lower support member  104 . 
         [0017]    In one embodiment, the design of the connector includes a mechanism to prevent the pivoting wall  108  from swinging too far open. If pivoting wall  108  were to swing too far out, conductor  114  could become trapped under cable cradle  116 , thus preventing pivoting wall  108  from being moved to a closed position. One mechanism of preventing pivoting wall  108  from swinging too far out is lower stopper  118 . Lower stopper  118  is configured to extend from pivoting wall  108  around hinge  112  such that it will come into contact with lower support member  104  thus preventing pivoting wall  108  from opening too far. 
         [0018]    Once conductor  114  has been laid onto cable cradle  116  and pivoting wall  108  has been moved to a closed position, conductor  114  can be secured in place by use of set screw  120  located in upper member  102 . Set screw  120  is a bolt or other threaded member that can engage with the inner threads of a hole in upper member  102 . As can be seen from  FIG. 2A  or  FIG. 3A  set screw  120  preferably is an allen screw, although any threaded member may be used. As set screw  120  is turned in a tightening direction, it moves through upper member  102  toward lower support member  104 . If a conductor  114  is located in cable cradle  116 , and pivoting wall  108  is sufficiently closed, the set screw  120  will come in contact with conductor  114  as it is tightened. Set screw  120  will apply a force in the direction of lower support member  104 , preventing pivoting wall  108  from swinging open, and preventing conductor  114  from moving. 
         [0019]    As viewed from the side, as in  FIG. 1B , as the set screw  120  is tightened, it exerts a downward force against lower support member  104 . This downward force would push against lower support member  104 , potentially forcing it to deform and causing it to move away from upper member  102 . However, lower support member  104  is anchored in place by upper anchor  122 , located on pivoting wall  108 . Upper anchor  122  is configured to engage with upper anchor lip  124 , located on upper member  102 . Any downward force from set screw  120  results in a downward application of force of upper anchor  122  against upper anchor lip  124 , thus preventing lower support member  104  from moving downward. 
         [0020]    As set screw  120  is tightened, conductor  114  may compress into an elliptical shape, causing pressure to be applied against pivoting wall  108  and inner sidewall  110 . Potentially, this pressure may cause hinge  112  to deform or pivoting wall  108  to separate from hinge  112 . In a preferred embodiment, lower anchor  126 , located on pivoting wall  108 , is configured to engage with lower anchor lip  128  to ensure that the outward pressure from the compressing conductor  114  does not result in pivoting wall  108  being pushed out. In order to further prevent pivoting wall  108  from being pushed outward, lower anchoring grooves  130  in lower support member  104  may engage with upper anchoring grooves  132  at the base of cable cradle  116 . The interlocking of the lower anchoring grooves  130  and the upper anchoring grooves  132  will prevent pivoting wall  108  from being pushed away from connector body  100 . The number of anchoring grooves may vary from just one, as shown in  FIG. 2B , to several, as depicted in  FIG. 1B , or there may not even be any, as depicted in  FIG. 3B . 
         [0021]    The connector can be made of just three parts: pivoting wall  108 , set screw  120 , and the connector body  100 . Ideally these three parts would be extruded, cast or machined from a hard conductive metal or alloy that does not deform. It is contemplated that the connector body  100  may be built directly into the edge of a solid surface. In such an instance, the recessed space where the conductor would be secured would be a groove cut into the edge of the solid surface. 
         [0022]    The design of the disclosed connector makes attachment of conductors to the meter base significantly easier. The installer simply flips pivoting wall  108  to an open position and lays conductor  114  onto cable cradle  116 . The conductor  114  only has to be bent slightly in order to place the conductor  114  on the cable cradle  116 , and no slack in the wire is required to place the conductor  114  on the cable cradle  116 . Pivoting wall  108  is, then, pushed into the closed position, causing conductor  114  to be enclosed within the recessed space of the connector. Set screw  120  is, then, tightened to secure the conductor  114  in place. Not only does set screw  120  prevent pivoting wall  108  from opening, but the pressure of set screw  120  against the conductor  114  also increases the surface contact of the conductor  114  to the connector. Furthermore, it also prevents the conductor  114  from being pulled out of the connector in the direction of the connector wire. 
         [0023]    Unlike connectors of the prior art, the claimed design allows for easier installations since the heavy gauge wire does not have to be maneuvered into a position to get the wire in through the front of the connector. Also, no slack in the wire is required, and less working space is required in the meter box. Also, unlike connectors that require separate lugs, there are no pieces to drop or lose. 
         [0024]    The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” as used in the claims and specification herein, shall be considered as indicating an open group that may include other elements not specified. The terms “a,” “an,” and the singular forms of words shall be taken to include the plural form of the same words, such that the terms mean that one or more of something is provided. The term “one” or “single” may be used to indicate that one and only one of something is intended. Similarly, other specific integer values, such as “two,” may be used when a specific number of things is intended. The terms “preferably,” “preferred,” “prefer,” “optionally,” “may,” and similar terms are used to indicate that an item, condition or step being referred to is an optional (not required) feature of the invention. 
         [0025]    The invention has been described with reference to various specific and preferred embodiments and techniques. However, it should be understood that many variations and modifications may be made while remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that methods, devices, device elements, materials, procedures and techniques other than those specifically described herein can be applied to the practice of the invention as broadly disclosed herein without resort to undue experimentation. All art-known functional equivalents of methods, devices, device elements, materials, procedures and techniques described herein are intended to be encompassed by this invention. Whenever a range is disclosed, all subranges and individual values are intended to be encompassed. This invention is not to be limited by the embodiments disclosed, including any shown in the drawings or exemplified in the specification, which are given by way of example and not of limitation. 
         [0026]    While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments can be devised which do not depart from the scope of the invention as disclosed herein. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the attached claims. 
         [0027]    All references throughout this application, for example patent documents including issued or granted patents or equivalents, patent application publications, and non-patent literature documents or other source material, are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties, as though individually incorporated by reference, to the extent each reference is at least partially not inconsistent with the disclosure in the present application (for example, a reference that is partially inconsistent is incorporated by reference except for the partially inconsistent portion of the reference).