Solderless wire connector

A wire connector that has a body with a closed end and an open end, a wire cavity within the open end, and a plurality of grip assemblies positioned around the body. The wire cavity is configured to rotatably couple to one or more wires. Each of the grip assemblies may have a raised rib extending between the closed end and the open end, a groove extending into the raised rib, and a rib cap shaped and positioned to cover the raised rib and extend into the groove. A first end of the rib cap may be adjacent the open end of the body and a second end of the rib cap may be adjacent the closed end of the body. The second end of the rib cap of each grip assembly may be joined to an end cap positioned to cover the closed end of the body.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to wire connectors, also called wire nuts or wire caps, that are twisted on to one or more wires to protect the end of the wire or electrically couple two or more wires.

BACKGROUND

Wire connectors are known in the industry for electrically coupling wires. Wire connectors are generally formed of a plastic housing and include a tapered, conductive inner connector, often a spring or inwardly threaded receiver, that grips the bare ends of a wire onto which it is rotatably connected. Often, wire connectors are formed with ridges and grooves, or outwardly extending wings to assist a user in gripping the wire connector while twisting it on to the wire(s).

SUMMARY

Aspects of this disclosure relate to a wire connector comprising a body having an axis, a closed end, and an open end, wherein the body is divided into an upper portion adjacent the closed end and a lower portion adjacent the open end and the lower portion is joined to the upper portion by an annular shelf angled toward the axis, a wire cavity within the open end of the body configured to rotatably couple to one or more wires, a plurality of grip assemblies positioned around a circumference of the body, each of the grip assemblies comprising: a raised rib extending between the closed end and the open end, a groove extending radially into the raised rib, wherein the groove is parallel with the raised rib, a rib cap shaped and positioned to cover the raised rib and extend into the groove, the rib cap having a first end adjacent the open end of the body and a second end adjacent the closed end of the body, and a base extending radially away from the body adjacent the open end of the body, the base configured to cover the first end of the rib cap, wherein the second end of the rib cap of each grip assembly is joined to an end cap positioned to cover the closed end of the body, and at least two leverage wings extending outward from the body on opposing sides of the body, wherein an upper section of each leverage wing extends from the upper portion of the body and a lower section of each leverage wing extends from the lower portion of the body, and wherein each leverage wing of the at least two leverage wings has a wing cap positioned to cover a portion of a first side of the leverage wing and leave a second side of the leverage wing exposed.

Particular embodiments may comprise one or more of the following features. Each rib cap, each wing cap, and the end cap may be formed as one piece. Each rib cap, each wing cap, and the end cap may be formed from a material more flexible than a material of the body.

Aspects of this disclosure relate to a wire connector comprising a body having an axis, a closed end, and an open end, a wire cavity within the open end of the body configured to rotatably couple to one or more wires, and a plurality of grip assemblies positioned around a circumference of the body, each of the grip assemblies comprising: a raised rib extending between the closed end and the open end, a groove extending into the raised rib, wherein the groove is parallel with the raised rib, and a rib cap shaped and positioned to cover the raised rib and extend into the groove, the rib cap having a first end adjacent the open end of the body and a second end adjacent the closed end of the body, wherein the second end of the rib cap of each grip assembly is joined to an end cap positioned to cover the closed end of the body.

Particular embodiments may comprise one or more of the following features. The body may be divided into an upper portion adjacent the closed end and a lower portion adjacent the open end and the lower portion is joined to the upper portion by an annular shelf angled toward the axis. Each grip assembly may further comprise a base extending radially away from the body adjacent the open end of the body, the base configured to cover the first end of the rib cap. At least two leverage wings extending outward from the body on opposing sides of the body, wherein each leverage wing of the at least two leverage wings has a wing cap positioned to cover a portion of a first side of the leverage wing and leave a second side of the leverage wing exposed. The body may be divided into an upper portion adjacent the closed end and a lower portion adjacent the open end, wherein the lower portion is joined to the upper portion by an annular shelf angled toward the axis, and wherein an upper section of each leverage wing extends from the upper portion of the body and a lower section of each leverage wing extends from the lower portion of the body. Each rib cap and the end cap may be formed as one piece. Each rib cap and the end cap may be formed from a material more flexible than a material of the body.

Aspects of this disclosure relate to a wire connector comprising a body having a closed end and an open end, a wire cavity within the open end of the body configured to rotatably couple to one or more wires, and a plurality of grip assemblies coupled to the body, each of the grip assemblies comprising a raised rib extending between the closed end and the open end, a groove extending into the raised rib, and a rib cap shaped and positioned to cover the raised rib and extend into the groove.

Particular embodiments may comprise one or more of the following features. The plurality of grip assemblies may be positioned around a circumference of the body. The groove of each grip assembly may be arranged parallel with the raised rib of each grip assembly. The rib cap of each grip assembly has a first end adjacent the open end of the body and a second end adjacent the closed end of the body and wherein the second end of the rib cap of each grip assembly is joined to an end cap positioned to cover the closed end of the body. Each rib cap and the end cap may be formed as one piece. Each rib cap may be formed from a material more flexible than a material of the body. The rib cap of each grip assembly has a first end adjacent the open end of the body and a second end adjacent the closed end of the body and wherein each grip assembly further comprises a base extending radially away from the body adjacent the open end of the body, the base configured to cover the first end of the rib cap. The body may be divided into an upper portion adjacent the closed end and a lower portion adjacent the open end and the lower portion is joined to the upper portion by an annular shelf. At least two leverage wings extending outward from the body on opposing sides of the body, wherein each leverage wing of the at least two leverage wings has a wing cap positioned to cover a portion of a first side of the leverage wing and leave a second side of the leverage wing exposed. The body may be divided into an upper portion adjacent the closed end and a lower portion adjacent the open end, wherein the lower portion is joined to the upper portion by an annular shelf, and wherein an upper section of each leverage wing extends from the upper portion of the body and a lower section of each leverage wing extends from the lower portion of the body.

According to an aspect of the disclosure a wire connector may comprise an outer shell comprising a closed first end and an open second end, a wire cavity within the outer shell configured to rotatably couple to one or more wires, a plurality of raised ribs on the surface of the outer shell, each of the raised ribs defining a channel between the raised rib and an adjacent raised rib, each of the raised ribs comprising an outer surface at the top of each channel, side walls extending from the top of each channel to a bottom of each channel, and a bottom wall connecting the side walls of each raised rib and each adjacent raised rib, and a plurality of rib caps overmolded on to the top surface of each of the plurality of raised ribs, the plurality of rib caps comprising a gap between the rib cap corresponding to each of the raised ribs and the rib cap corresponding to each adjacent raised rib.

Particular embodiments may comprise one or more of the following features. E each of the raised ribs and each of the channels may extend from adjacent the closed first end to a respective terminal end of each raised rib and channel closer the open second end than to the closed first end, the wire connector further comprising an annular base between the terminal ends of the channels and the open second end, the annular base being frustoconical in shape and having a height. The annular base may comprise a smooth surface except for a raised texture on the smooth surface. The raised texture may comprise a plurality of elliptical grip bumps extended outward from the smooth surface of the annular base and spaced about the annular base. The raised texture may comprise a plurality of rectangular grip bumps extended outward from the smooth surface of the annular base and spaced about the annular base. The raised texture may comprise a plurality of elongated rib grip bumps extending outward from the smooth surface of the annular base and spaced about the annular base. Two or more leverage wings extending outward from the outer shell on opposing sides of the outer shell between the first end and the second end. Each of the two leverage wings may comprise a first side and a second side, and a wing rib overmolded on a portion of the first side of each of the leverage wings. A wire skirt overmolded on to the second end of the outer shell, surrounding the open second end, and extending away from the open second end, the wire skirt and plurality of rib caps formed of a material more flexible than a material used to form the outer shell.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, a wire connector may comprise an outer shell comprising a closed first end and an open second end, a wire cavity within the outer shell configured to rotatably couple to one or more wires, a plurality of raised ribs on the surface of the outer shell, each of the raised ribs defining a channel between the raised rib and an adjacent raised rib, each of the raised ribs comprising an outer surface at the top of each channel, side walls extending from the top of each channel to a bottom of each channel, and a bottom wall connecting the side walls of each raised rib and each adjacent raised rib, a plurality of rib caps overmolded on to the top surface of each of the plurality of raised ribs, the plurality of rib caps comprising a gap between the rib cap corresponding to each of the raised ribs and the rib cap corresponding to each adjacent raised rib, two leverage wings extending outward from the outer shell on opposing sides of the outer shell between the first end and the second end, and a wire skirt overmolded on to the second end of the outer shell, surrounding the open second, end and extending away from the open second end, the wire skirt and plurality of rib caps formed of a material more flexible than a material used to form the outer shell.

Particular embodiments may comprise one or more of the following features. Each of the two leverage wings may comprise a first side and a second side, and a wing rib overmolded on to a portion of the first side of each of the leverage wings. Each of the two leverage wings may further comprise a wing rib overmolded on to a portion of the first side of each of the leverage wings but not on to any of the second side of each of the leverage wings. A base adjacent the open second end, the base at least partially having a frustoconical shape and having a height. The base may comprise a smooth surface except for a raised texture on the smooth surface. The raised texture may comprise a plurality of elongated rib grip bumps extending outward from the smooth surface of the base and spaced about the base. A plurality of elongated rib grip bumps may extend outward from a surface of the base and spaced about the base.

The foregoing and other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the specification, drawings, and the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and which show by way of illustration possible implementations. It is to be understood that other implementations may be utilized, and structural, as well as procedural, changes may be made without departing from the scope of this document. As a matter of convenience, various components will be described using exemplary materials, sizes, shapes, dimensions, and the like. However, this document is not limited to the stated examples and other configurations are possible and within the teachings of the present disclosure. As will become apparent, changes may be made in the function and/or arrangement of any of the elements described in the disclosed exemplary implementations without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

FIGS.1-7illustrate a particular embodiment of a wire connector10with an outer shell12typically formed of a substantially rigid plastic or some other insulative material, such as polypropylene, having a closed first end14and an open second end16. The outer shell12may be formed of any material which is known in the art for forming wire connectors. A wire cavity18is included within the outer shell12that may narrow as the wire cavity18nears the closed first end14. The cavity is configured to rotatably couple to one or more wires when the wire connector10is twisted on to the wire(s). To rotatably couple to the wire(s), the internal cavity may include an internally threaded surface, or a spring, such as a square cross-section spring74(FIG.6) or other metallic component with a pitched internal surface that narrows toward the closed first end so that as the wire connector10is twisted onto the wire(s), the surface draws the wire(s) toward the closed first end to retain the wire(s) within the wire cavity18.

On an outer surface of the outer shell12, a plurality of raised ribs20are included that extend between the first end14and the second end16of the outer shell12. The plurality of raised ribs20define a plurality of channels22between each adjacent raised rib20. The plurality of channels22extend substantially parallel to the plurality of raised ribs20. Each raised rib20includes a top surface24extending the length of the raised rib20to its terminal end34, and each channel22includes side walls26and a bottom wall28extending the length of the channel22to its terminal end36.

A rib cap30is positioned on the top surface24of each raised rib20. The rib caps30are formed of a material more flexible than the material which the outer shell12is formed of. In a particular embodiment, the rib caps30are overmolded onto the raised ribs20of the outer shell12using standard overmolding processes used for overmolding materials onto selective areas of plastic. The overmolding materials for the rib caps30found advantageous for providing enhanced grip includes any of rubber, silicone, urethane, synthetic rubbers and fluoropolymer elastomers such as those manufactured by DuPont® under the trademark Viton®, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber, and thermoplastic elastomers such as neoprene and santoprene. It has been found that applying a rib cap30having a thickness of between 0.010″-0.025″ works well.

Each of the rib caps30has a gap32between one rib cap30and an adjacent rib cap30so that the bottom wall of the channels22does not include overmolded materials and leaves the substantially rigid material used to form the outer shell12exposed within the channel. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that due to overmolding process realities, there may be some extension of the overmolded material of the rib caps30beyond just the top surface24of the raised ribs20so that a portion of the side walls26of the channels22may include some overmolded material, though a majority of the side walls26is left bare overmolded materials and exposed. The inclusion of a gap32between the rib caps30, gives an added advantage over completely overmolding the material into the channels. By including a gap32, a portion of the channel the side walls26is exposed so that when a user applies a twisting force to the wire connector with the user's fingers, the rib cap30material compresses comfortably and if additional force is needed, the user's fingers will compress the rib cap30material to a point where the user's fingers contact the substantially rigid, and less flexible material of the outer shell12within the gaps32by contacting the side walls26of the channels22to allow for a more rigid grip without the more flexible rib caps30preventing access to the channel side walls26when it is needed. If there is no gap, the user's fingers, which may be contaminated with sweat or moisture or other materials causing them to slip on the rib cap30overmolded material, may slip and be unable to easily maintain the gripping force needed to engage or disengage the wire connector10from the wires to which it is attached. Thus, when it is needed, the inclusion of gaps32gives user fingers the comfort of the overmolded material with an enhanced grip over completely overmolded surfaces.

In some embodiments, including the one illustrated inFIGS.1-7, the wire connector10includes an annular base40circumscribing the wire connector10at the terminal end36of the channels. The annular base40has a height42and a surface44. To assist a user in gripping the wire connector10, a texture may be included on the surface44of the annular base40within its height42. The texture may be formed in a number of different shapes depending upon the intended design of the wire connector10.FIGS.8-9illustrate an embodiment with no texture on the annular base40.FIGS.10-11illustrate rectangular grip bumps50extending outwardly from the surface44of the annular base40. In this embodiment, the rectangular grip bumps50are formed in three concentric rows and twelve of columns each aligned with a corresponding raised rib20.FIGS.12-13illustrate elongated rib grip bumps52that extend from within the annular base40toward the open second end16of the outer shell12.FIGS.16-19illustrate elliptical grip bumps46,48in the form of circles in two concentric rows of twelve columns each aligned with a corresponding raised rib20(FIGS.16-17) and ovals in a single row of twelve ovals each aligned with a corresponding raised rib20(FIGS.18-19). Alternatively, any other shape or type of raised texture may be included on the annular base40to enhance user grip.FIGS.14-15illustrate an embodiment without an annular base so that the channels22extend fully from the closed first end14to the open second end16. Although not required for functionality, aligning the raised grip bumps on the annular base40may enhance grip and consistency of feel for the user when twisting the wire connector10.

In some embodiments, including the ones illustrated herein, each of the texture features that extend outwardly from the annular base40may further include bump caps47,49,51,53that are overmolded onto the respective grip bumps of the various designs. The overmolding occurs proximate the overmolding of the rib caps30and uses the same material that the rib caps30are formed from. By including overmolded bump caps47,49,51,53on the top surfaces of the various grip bumps46,48,50,52but not in a bottom surface68of a gap70between the grip bumps46,48,50,52, a user's fingers can find purchase against a rigid, uncoated surface of the sides of the grip bumps46,48,50,52when needed, in addition to having the comfort of the overmolded bump caps47,49,51,53.

Particular embodiments, including the embodiment illustrated inFIGS.1-7, may include two or more leverage wings54extending outward at opposing sides of the outer shell12to provide additional surfaces through which the user can apply leverage to engage or disengage the wire connector10from wire(s) to which the wire connector10is attached. Each leverage wing54includes a first side56and a second side58. A wing rib60may be formed or overmolded on at least the first side56of each leverage wing to provide comfort and additional grip to the user's fingers. In particular embodiments, including that illustrated inFIG.2, the wing rib60is positioned along an outer edge of the leverage wings54. By including a wing rib60rather than merely a smooth surface, the user gets additional purchase against the surface of the leverage wing to enhance gripping and twisting power.

In some embodiments, including the embodiment illustrated inFIGS.1-7, an additional wire skirt62may be included around the open second end16of the outer shell12. The skirt may be overmolded proximate the overmolding process of, and of the same material as, the rib caps and bump caps. Alternatively, the wire skirt may be formed separately and adhered to the outer shell12through an appropriate adhesive or heat welding or other method known in the art.

Because the skirt is also made of an insulative material softer and more flexible than the substantially rigid material of the outer shell12, it provides an insulative shelter around the bare ends of wire(s) to which the wire connector is attached, but easily compresses to tightly fit within electrical boxes or other places with limited space. Occasionally, wires are stripped too far when they are prepared for attachment with a wire connector. In such cases, the bare portion of the wire may extend beyond the open end of the wire connector and present a risk of contact with an unintended wire or conductive surface. Additionally, flash-over and arcing is a risk between conductive surfaces that are not insulated from each other. By including an additional wire skirt around the open second end16of the outer shell12, many of these risks can be mitigated. It has been found that a skirt length of between 25-40% of the total length72of the wire connector10is effective. In other words, if a wire connector10has a total length of 1.5″, the wire skirt portion of that total length72would be between 0.375″ and 0.600″ long. The insulative thickness64of material between 0.010″ to 0.050″ has also been found to be effective for wire connectors. The additional length added to a wire connector10by using a wire skirt62also allows use of the wire connectors10in a wider variety of wire connecting situations.

FIGS.20-26illustrate an embodiment of a wire connector100. The wire connector100is similar to, and may have any of the features of, the wire connector10disclosed above. Additionally, any of the individual components of the wire connector100may have the same features as similarly named components discussed above with reference to the wire connector10.

The wire connector100has a body102, a wire cavity104, and a plurality of grip assemblies106. The wire cavity104is configured to rotatably couple to one or more wires and may have any of the features of the wire cavity18disclosed above. The body102may have a frustoconical or truncated cone shape, and may have an axis108, a closed end110, and an open end112. The closed end110may be opposite the open end112. The body102may be divided into an upper portion114and a lower portion116. The upper portion114is adjacent the closed end110and the lower portion116is adjacent the open end112. The upper portion114and the lower portion116may be joined by an annular shelf118, which may be angled toward the axis108. The annular shelf118may thus have a surface that curves to increase the slope of the annular shelf118to be more perpendicular to the axis108, and a surface that curves to decrease the slope of the annular shelf118to be less perpendicular to the axis108. These surfaces may be relatively sharp corners with small radii of curvature or may curve more gently with larger radii of curvature. In some embodiments, a portion of the annular shelf118is a surface that is perpendicular to the axis108.

The plurality of grip assemblies106may be positioned around a circumference of the body102, and may be spaced equally apart around the body102. Each of the grip assemblies may comprise a raised rib120, a groove122extending into the raised rib120, a rib cap124, and a base126. The raised rib120may be formed integrally with and from the same material as the body102of the wire connector100. The raised rib120extends between the closed end110and the open end112of the body102. In some embodiments, the raised rib120is coplanar with the axis108. Thus, in such an embodiment, as the raised rib120extends from the closed end110to the open end112, each point along the raised rib120is at the same angular position on the body102, and the raised rib120does not wrap around the body102in either direction. As mentioned above, the groove122extends into the raised rib120, and may extend radially into the raised rib120. The groove122may be parallel with the raised rib120. As shown inFIGS.21and23, the groove122therefore divides the raised rib120into two sides. In some embodiments, the two sides of the raised rib120may have the same size, but in other embodiments, the groove122may not extend along the center of the raised rib120, and thus the two sides of the raised rib120may not be the same size.

The rib cap124is shaped and positioned to cover the raised rib120, as shown inFIG.23. For example, the rib cap124may cover the front face and sides of the raised rib120. The rib cap124may also be shaped and positioned to extend into the groove122, as shown inFIG.23. By extending the rib cap124into the groove122, the rib cap124is more securely coupled to the raised rib120, thus providing more leverage and a greater capacity for applying torque to the wire connector100. The rib cap124may have a tongue128which extends along a length of the rib cap124and is configured to extend into the groove122. The tongue128may fill the groove122such that no empty space is left in the groove122. Alternatively, the tongue128may extend into the groove122without completely filling the groove122.

The rib cap124has a first end130and a second end132opposite the first end130. The first end130may be adjacent the open end112of the body102and the second end132may be adjacent the closed end110of the body102. The base126of the grip assembly106may extend radially away from the body102adjacent to the open end112of the body102. The base126is configured to cover the first end130of the rib cap124. This helps to retain the rib cap124in its position on the raised rib120because the first end130of the rib cap124is less likely to catch on another object when the first end130is covered by the base126. The second end132of the rib cap124may be joined to an end cap134that is positioned to cover the closed end110of the body102. As shown inFIG.21, this unifies each of the rib caps124into one piece that is positioned over the body102.

The wire connector100may also have a plurality of leverage wings136. The wire connector100may have at least two leverage wings136. The leverage wings136provide additional surfaces that may be used to grip and rotate the wire connector100to couple the wire connector100with one or more wires. The leverage wings136may extend outward from the body102, and may do so on opposing sides of the body102. The leverage wings136may extend from the body102in the upper portion114and/or in the lower portion116. In embodiments that extend away from the body102in both the upper portion114and in the lower portion116, each leverage wing136may have an upper section138that extends from the upper portion114and a lower section140that extends from the lower portion116. Each leverage wing136may have a wing cap142that is positioned to cover a portion of a first side144of the leverage wing136and leave a second side146of the leverage wing136exposed. Similar to the rib caps124, this provides additional grip to the user. Leaving a portion of the leverage wing136exposed helps to limit the amount of material needed to form the wing cap142.

The wire connector100may have any number of grip assemblies106. While the figures illustrate an embodiment with six grip assemblies106, any other number may be implemented. The grip assemblies106provide increased grip on the body102to the user by providing ribs120that extend out of the body102and are covered by the rib cap124that is formed of a material that may be configured to provide greater friction between the wire connector100and the user. Each of the rib caps124, the wing caps142, and the end cap134may be formed of one piece, and may be of a material more flexible than the material which the body102is formed of. In a particular embodiment, the rib caps124, the wing caps142, and the end cap134are overmolded onto the raised ribs120of the body102using standard overmolding processes used for overmolding materials onto selective areas of plastic. The overmolding materials for the rib caps124, the wing caps142, and the end cap134found advantageous for providing enhanced grip includes any of rubber, silicone, urethane, synthetic rubbers and fluoropolymer elastomers such as those manufactured by DuPont® under the trademark Viton®, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber, and thermoplastic elastomers such as neoprene and santoprene.

It will be understood that implementations of wire connectors are not limited to the specific configurations, assemblies, devices and components disclosed in this document, as virtually any assemblies, devices and components consistent with the intended operation of wire connectors may be modified according to the principles discussed herein. Accordingly, for example, although particular wire connectors, and other assemblies, devices and components are disclosed, such may include any shape, size, style, type, model, version, class, measurement, concentration, material, weight, quantity, and/or the like consistent with the intended operation of wire connectors. Implementations are not limited to uses of any specific assemblies, devices and components; provided that the assemblies, devices and components selected are consistent with the intended operation of wire connectors.

Accordingly, the components defining any wire connector implementations may be formed of any of many different types of materials or combinations thereof that can readily be formed into shaped objects provided that the components selected are consistent with the intended operation of a wire connector implementation. For example, the components may be formed of: polymers such as thermoplastics (such as ABS, Fluoropolymers, Polyacetal, Polyamide; Polycarbonate, Polyethylene, Polysulfone, and/or the like), thermosets (such as Epoxy, Phenolic Resin, Polyimide, Polyurethane, Silicone, and/or the like), any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; glasses (such as quartz glass), carbon-fiber, aramid-fiber, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; composites and/or other like materials; metals, such as zinc, magnesium, titanium, copper, lead, iron, steel, carbon steel, alloy steel, tool steel, stainless steel, brass, nickel, tin, antimony, pure aluminum, 1100 aluminum, aluminum alloy, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; alloys, such as aluminum alloy, titanium alloy, magnesium alloy, copper alloy, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; any other suitable material; and/or any combination of the foregoing thereof. In instances where a part, component, feature, or element is governed by a standard, rule, code, or other requirement, the part may be made in accordance with, and to comply under such standard, rule, code, or other requirement.

Various wire connectors may be manufactured using conventional procedures as added to and improved upon through the procedures described here. Some components defining wire connectors may be manufactured simultaneously and integrally joined with one another, while other components may be purchased pre-manufactured or manufactured separately and then assembled with the integral components. Various implementations may be manufactured using conventional procedures as added to and improved upon through the procedures described here.

Accordingly, manufacture of these components separately or simultaneously may involve extrusion, pultrusion, vacuum forming, injection molding, blow molding, resin transfer molding, casting, forging, cold rolling, milling, drilling, reaming, turning, grinding, stamping, cutting, bending, welding, soldering, hardening, riveting, punching, plating, and/or the like. If any of the components are manufactured separately, they may then be coupled with one another in any manner, such as with adhesive, a weld, a fastener (e.g. a bolt, a nut, a screw, a nail, a rivet, a pin, and/or the like), wiring, any combination thereof, and/or the like for example, depending on, among other considerations, the particular material forming the components.

It will be understood that the methods involving wire connectors are not limited to the specific order of steps as disclosed in this document. Any steps or sequence of steps of the assembly of wire connectors indicated herein are given as examples of possible steps or sequence of steps and not as limitations, since various assembly processes and sequences of steps may be used to assemble them.

The implementations of the wire connectors described are by way of example or explanation and not by way of limitation. Rather, any description relating to the foregoing is for the exemplary purposes of this disclosure, and implementations may also be used with similar results for a variety of other applications.