Abstract:
Disclosed are systems, apparatus and related methods for making weather, fire, or water-proofed wire-to-wire electrical connections.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Prov. Pat. App. Ser. No. 61/371,970 (filed Aug. 9, 2010) entitled “Systems, Apparatus, and Related Methods for Weather-proofed Wire Splicings,” and said application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0004]    The present application is in the field of systems, apparatus and related methods for making weather, fire, or water-proofed wire-to-wire electrical connections. 
         [0005]    2. Background of the Invention 
         [0006]    Electrical wiring infrastructures are known to have many practical applications in modern societies. Frequently, the assembly of said infrastructures requires electricity conducting (“conductive”) wire-to-wire connections. Conductive connections may be accomplished via stripping the insulation off the cores of at least two wires and bringing the exposed cores into contact. Without more, the contacted cores are susceptible to unintended disconnection and pose the risk of shock or spark (i.e., fire) when the connection is live. Furthermore, if the live wire-to-wire connection is exposed to water or weather, then the risk of electric shock increases and, additionally, the connected wire cores can be corroded. Accordingly, there is a need for systems, apparatus, and related methods for accomplishing secure (i.e., not easily disconnected), electricity insulated (“insulative”), spark resistant, and water/weather-proofed wire-to-wire connections. 
         [0007]    Various apparatus and systems have been devised in view of satisfying the above-identified need. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,113,037 (issued May 12, 1992) of King et al. and its patent family (hereinafter “the King patents”) disclose various embodiments of an apparatus which generally comprise a sealant (e.g., silicon grease or petroleum jelly) filled cap internally featuring tapering female screw-threads. In the King patents, the tapering screw-threads are for gripping and compressing contacted wire-cores; water-proofing and spark resistance is accomplished via the sealant surrounding the contacted wire-cores; and the cap structure insulates the connection. Nevertheless, the King patents have not adequately addressed the above-identified need. One inadequacy, among others, may be that the apparatus disclosed by the King patents does not adequately secure wire-to-wire connections due to the sealant&#39;s lubricant properties which counter the gripping function of the tapering female screw threads (i.e., the wire-to-wire connection within the apparatus is susceptible to disassociation from the cap). Therefore, wire connections made according to the King patents remain susceptible to unintended disconnection, shock, spark or wire damage. 
         [0008]    Furthermore, apparatus disclosed by the King patents introduce unnecessary limitations into the process of coupling/splicing wires. Continuing the example from above, the King patents&#39; apparatus are limited since: (1) the apparatus and wires are typically small and hard to grip; and (2) the wire-cores must be contacted and aligned throughout the twisting and compression thereof by the tapering female threads. The size and accuracy requirements of the King apparatus necessitate the steadied and practiced hand of a skilled artisan rather than a “do-it-yourself” layman. Furthermore, once the King apparatus has been installed, there is no way to either assure that an electrical connection has been established or to check voltages across the connection, unless the apparatus is removed to reveal sealant covered wire-cores. Removal of the apparatus is messy (i.e., sealant covered), requires re-installation of the apparatus, and is otherwise undesirable. Thus, there remains a need for systems, apparatus, and related methods for accomplishing secure, insulated, spark resistant, and water/weather-proofed wire-to-wire connections that may be practiced by laymen and wherein voltages may be readily measured across the associated wire connections. 
         [0009]    Other known apparatus have also been devised to address the above-identified needs, yet these known apparatus have also inadequately addressed said needs or have introduced unnecessary limitations to the wire-coupling process. One type of known, yet inadequate, apparatus features a component (whether conductive or not) that is mechanically anchored to contacted wire-cores and interlockingly coupled to a sealant filled cap. Although these interlocked components provide secure, insulated, and water-proofed wire connections, they also feature limitations, including but not limited to: being hard to grip do to size and accuracy requirements; being hard to assemble; and not providing an easy means for measuring voltage across the connection without disassembly. See e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,051,791 (issued Apr. 18, 2000), 4,039,742 (issued Aug. 2, 1977), 3,483,310 (issued Dec. 9, 1969), and 2,870,239 (issued Jan. 20, 1959). Another type of known apparatus features a conductive component that is mechanically anchored to a wire-to-wire connection prior to being sheathed with a heat shrink plastic (with or without a sealant filled cap). While said sheathed apparatus provide secure, insulated, and water-proofed wire connections, they too feature limitations, including but not limited to: being hard to grip due to size and accuracy requirements; being hard to assemble; requiring additional tools (e.g., pliers or a blow-torch) that may not be readily available or usable by laymen; and not providing an easy means for measuring voltage across the connection without disassembly. See e.g., Part. No. 270LVC1 sold by Paige Electric (www.paigewire.com). Thus, there remains a need for systems, apparatus, and related methods for accomplishing secure, insulated, spark resistant, and water/weather-proofed wire-to-wire connections that may be practiced by laymen and wherein voltages may be readily measured across the associated wire connections without disassembly. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    It is an object of the present application to disclose systems, apparatus, and related methods for accomplishing secure, insulated, spark resistant, and water/weather-proofed wire-to-wire connections that may be practiced by laymen and wherein voltages may be readily measured across the associated wire connections without disassembly. In one preferable embodiment, the disclosed system may suitably feature: a conductive connector for electrically coupling or splicing any number of wires; and, a sealant filled (e.g., partially sealant filled) cap. Operably, the cap may: first, function as a handle for gripping the connector while the connector is conductively anchored to at least one wire-core; and, second, function as an insulator which securely retains the connector and coupled wires within the moisture inhibiting sealant. An aperture may be strategically disposed through the cap so that an electrical measuring device (e.g., a volt meter, and ammeter, an ohmmeter, electrometer or the like) may be contacted to a retained connector without compromising the insulative, spark resistant, and weatherproof/waterproof properties of the cap. 
         [0011]    It is yet another object of the present application to meet the aforementioned needs without any of the drawbacks associated with apparatus heretofore known for the same purpose. It is yet still a further objective to meet these needs in an efficient and inexpensive manner. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0012]    The manner in which these objectives and other desirable characteristics can be obtained is better explained in the following description and attached figures in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a preferable embodiment of a conductive and male headed connector. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1B  is a side view of the connector of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0015]      FIG. 1C  is a top view of the connector of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0016]      FIG. 1D  is a bottom view of the connector of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0017]      FIG. 1E  is a longitudinal cross-section of the connector of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0018]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of an alternate yet still preferable embodiment of a conductive male headed connector. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2B  is a longitudinal cross-section of the connector of  FIG. 2A . 
           [0020]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of another alternate yet still preferable embodiment of a conductive male headed connector. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3B  is a bottom view of the connector of  FIG. 3A . 
           [0022]      FIG. 3C  is a longitudinal cross section of  FIG. 3A . 
           [0023]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of a preferable embodiment for a cap. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4B  is a top view of the cap of  FIG. 4A . 
           [0025]      FIG. 4C  is a side view of the cap of  FIG. 4A . 
           [0026]      FIG. 4D  is a bottom view of the cap of  FIG. 4A   
           [0027]      FIG. 4E  is a longitudinal cross-section of the cap of  FIG. 4A . 
           [0028]      FIG. 5A  is a contextual view of the cap of  FIG. 4A  and connector of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0029]      FIG. 5B  is another contextual view of the cap of  FIG. 4A  and the connector of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0030]      FIG. 5C  is a cross section of the cap of  FIG. 4A  and connector of  FIG. 1A  as such are contextually depicted in  FIG. 5B . 
           [0031]      FIG. 6  is yet another contextual view of the cap of  FIG. 4A  and connector of  FIG. 1A . 
       
    
    
       [0032]    It is to be noted, however, that the appended figures illustrate only typical embodiments disclosed in this application, and therefore, are not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments that will be appreciated by those reasonably skilled in the relevant arts. Also, figures are not necessarily made to scale. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0033]    In general, the disclosed system may suitably feature: a conductive connector for electrically coupling/splicing any number of wires; and, a sealant filled (e.g., partially sealant filled) cap. Operably, the cap may: first, function as a handle for gripping the connector while the connector is conductively anchored to at least one wire-core; and, second, function as an insulator which securely retains the connector and coupled wires within the moisture inhibiting sealant. An aperture may be strategically disposed through the cap so that an electrical measuring device may be contacted to a retained connector without compromising the insulative, spark resistant, and weatherproof/waterproof properties of the cap. 
         [0034]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a preferable embodiment of an electricity conducting (“conductive”) connector  100 . As seen in the figure, the connector  100  suitably features a head  101 , a wire-receptacle  102 , and a set screw  103 .  FIGS. 1B through 1D  respectively depict a side, the top, and the bottom views of the connector  100  depicted in  FIG. 1A .  FIG. 1E  depicts a longitudinal cross-section of the connector  100  of  FIGS. 1A through 1D . Taken together,  FIGS. 1A through 1E  suitably illustrate the above referenced components of the depicted connector  100 . 
         [0035]    The head  101  is best illustrated in  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B, and  1 C. Referring to these figures, the head  101  is an input for the secured placement of the connector  100  at a cooperating socket. As discussed in greater detail below, the head  101  and a cooperating socket may suitably be the primary mechanism for removably securing the connector  100  to an object (see, e.g.  FIGS. 5A through 5C  wherein the connector  100  is removable secured to a cap  400  via cooperating head  101  and sockets  403 ,  404 ). In a preferred embodiment, the head  101  may be threaded in the manner of a male-screw or bolt. Manners of threading the screw-head  101  will be well known to those of skill in the art and include, but are not limited to thread cutting (e.g., threading via taps and dies, single-point threading, or thread milling including form-milling and thrilling) and thread forming and rolling, thread casting or molding, thread grinding, and thread lapping. Although depicted with male threads, the head  101  may feature any mechanism for removable, yet secure, input to a socket. Such mechanisms are known or apparent to those of skill in the art and may include, without limitation: snap fasteners; restriction fittings; and the like. 
         [0036]    The wire receptacle  102  and set screw  103  are best seen in  FIGS. 1A ,  1 D, and  1 E. Referring to these figures, the wire receptacle  102  defines a cavity within the connector  100  that is configured to receive the stripped core of at least one, but preferably two or more, wires. Referring specifically to  FIG. 1E , the set-screw  103  features a point  104  and a head  105  and is threadedly disposed through a side of the connector  100  so that the point  104  is within the cavity  102  while the head  105  may be accessible outside of the connector  100 . Operably, the wire-receptacle  102  may suitably receive any number of stripped wire cores so that: (1) the point  104  of the set-screw  103  may be driven in the manner (i.e., drive style) of a screw through the connector  100  side into compressive or clamping contact with the stripped wire cores, wherein the wire cores electrically contact each other and/or the connector  100 ; and (2) so that the wires&#39; relative motion with respect to the connector  100  is prevented or otherwise restricted (i.e., the wires are not easily disengaged from each other and/or the wire-receptacle  102 ). The geometry of the set point  104  may vary and acceptable geometries will be well known to one of skill in the art. Such known geometries may include, but should not be limited to: Flat Point; Domed Point; Cone Point; Cup Point; Knurled Cup Point; Extended Point (Pilot Point, Dog Point); and the like. The geometry of the set screw head  105  may be blind and may also vary according to available or preferable drive styles which will be known to those of skill in the art. Said geometries and drive-styles may include, but should not be limited to: Hex, Allen, slot, Torx, star, Phillips, Bristol Spline, and the like. 
         [0037]    Preferably, the connector  100  and its components are constructed of electricity conducting materials so that stripped wire cores installed within the wire-receptacle  102  may be electrically coupled via contact with the connector  100  in lieu of, or in addition to, core-to-core contact. Metals are preferable materials for constructing the connector  100  since metals are typically conductive and susceptible to machining, molding, and being cut or manipulated. Silver, Gold, Copper, Aluminum, and Brass are the most preferable metals for constructing the connector  100 . Yet still, other conductive materials known to one of skill in the art are also be preferable for constructing the connector  100 , and may include without limitation graphite and other non-metallic electrical conductors. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  respectively illustrate perspective and cross-section views of an alternate embodiment of a connector  200 . As with the connector  100  depicted in the earlier figures, the connector  200  of  FIGS. 2A and 2B  features a head  201  and a wire-receptacle  102 . As with the earlier embodiment, the head  201  defines an input for a cooperating socket and may be a male-threaded screw or bolt. The wire-receptacle  202  defines a cavity within the connector  200  that is configured to receive the stripped core of at least one, but preferably two or more, wires. However, unlike the earlier embodiments, the connector  200  of  FIGS. 2A and 2B  does not feature a set screw for retaining electrically coupled wire cores within the connector  200 . Instead, the connector  200  is preferably constructed of electrically conductive and malleable material whereby the body of the connector  200  may be crimped around the installed wire-cores. Examples of suitable manners of crimping are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,870,239 (issued Jun. 10, 1959) and 3,483,310 (issued Dec. 9, 1969) but other modes or crimp styles will be known or readily apparent to one of skill in the art. It should be noted, however, that regardless of the crimp style employed for retaining and electrically coupling stripped wire cores within the wire-receptacle, the resultant deformation of the connector  200  body should preferably not affect the operability of the head  201 . As with the earlier embodiment, metals including silver, gold, copper, aluminum, and brass, may be used to construct the connector  200  with the walls of the connector  200  preferably being made thin so that the connector  200  is malleable and crimping is possible. In all other respects the connector  200  may be constructed and operated in the manner of the connector  100  disclosed in  FIGS. 1A through 1E . 
         [0039]      FIGS. 3A ,  3 B, and  3 C respectively illustrate perspective, bottom, and cross-section views of another alternate yet preferable embodiment of a conductive connector  300 . As with the other connectors  100 ,  200  disclosed above, the connector  300  features a head  301 . Unlike the earlier embodiments, the connector  300  suitably features one or more wire-receptacle  302  so that sets of stripped wire cores may be electrically coupled within each wire-receptacle  302  or so that multiple large-gauge wires may be electrically coupled via the connector  300  (e.g., one stripped core installed per receptacle  302 ). In all other respects the connector  300  operates in the manner of the connector  100 ,  200  disclosed in the earlier figures. It should also be noted that, even though  FIGS. 3A through 3C  depicted the connector  300  with set screws for securing and electrically coupling the wires to each other and/or the connector  300 , the connector  300  may also be constructed so that a crimping connection could be made as disclosed in connection with  FIGS. 2A and 2B . 
         [0040]    Although the connectors  100 ,  200 ,  300  are depicted with various means and mechanisms (e.g., set screw and crimp) for retaining stripped wires within the wire-receptacles  102 ,  202 ,  302 , other means and mechanisms for retaining stripped wire cores within the wire receptacle will be known or apparent to one of skill in the art and may include without limitation female-threaded wire-receptacles (see e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,113,037 (issued May 12, 1992), soldering, tying (see e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,051,791 (issued Apr. 18, 2000), twisting, wedging (see e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,051,791, FIG. 2) and the like. Said known or apparent wire-retaining means and mechanisms, including others, may be employed without departing from the spirit and intent of this application. In addition, although depicted with a general cylindrical shape, a connector  100 ,  200 ,  300 , may be of any shape or cross section, as long as it features a head and a wire receptacle. 
         [0041]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of a preferable embodiment of an electricity insulating (“insulative”) cap  400 . As seen in the figure, the cap  400  is generally cylindrical in shape with one side tapering to a point occupied by an external socket  404 .  FIGS. 4B through 4D  respectively depict the top, a side, and the bottom views of the cap  400  depicted in  FIG. 4A .  FIG. 4E  depicts a longitudinal cross-section of the cap  400  of  FIGS. 4A through 4D . As seen in its cross-section, the cap  400  is hollow and internally features a sealant receptacle  401 , an internal socket  403 , closure  406 , and a probe-port  405 . Taken together,  FIGS. 1A through 1E  suitably illustrate the above referenced components of the depicted cap  400 . 
         [0042]    The sealant receptacle  401  is best depicted by  FIG. 4E . As seen in the figure, the sealant receptacle  401  generally defines the hollow of the cap  400 . Operably, the sealant receptacle  401  is adapted to receive and retain a viscous sealant  402  with moisture inhibiting properties. Viscous sealants are known or will be apparent to those of skill in the art and may include, without being limited to: a silicone based material or the like, including silicone grease; potting compound; greases; adhesives, mastics, gels, or any other waterproofing and/or fire retardant compounds. The sealant  402  is preferably viscous so that it remains within the sealant receptacle  401  of the cap  400  during periods of cap  400  storage or use due to its inherent non-flowability. Preferable sealants can include Silicone Grease, Petroleum Jelly, or Amorphous Calcium Carbonate. Sealant may be provided to the sealant receptacle at any time. 
         [0043]    The inner socket  403  is best depicted in  FIG. 4E . As seen in the figure, the inner socket is within the cap  400  and integral with the sealant receptacle  401 . Preferably, the internal socket  403  defines a means for removably, yet securely, retaining an input (see, e.g.  FIGS. 5B and 5C  wherein the internal socket receives the head  101  of a connector  100  as an input). The socket  403  is depicted in  FIG. 4E  with female-threads for cooperating with the male threads of an input so that the input is securely and removably retained by the socket  403 . Although depicted with female threads, the inner socket  403  may feature any mechanism for removably, yet securely, retaining an input. Such mechanisms are known or apparent to those of skill in the art and may include without limitation, snap fasteners, restriction fittings, and the like. 
         [0044]    The outer socket  404  is best depicted in  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B, and  4 E. As seen in the figures, the socket  404  is suitably disposed externally and opposite to the inner socket  403 . The inner  403  and outer  404  sockets are preferably adapted to retain the same inputs, the only difference between the sockets suitably being their position on the cap  400 . Although depicted with female threads, the external socket  404  may feature any mechanism for removably, yet securely, retaining an input. Such mechanisms are known or apparent to those of skill in the art and may include without limitation, snap fasteners, restriction fittings, and the like. 
         [0045]    The probe-port  405  is best depicted in  FIGS. 4B and 4E . As illustrated by the recited figures, the probe-port  405  is preferably a hole through the cap  400  wall for access to the sealant receptacle  401  and for suitably allowing probes to interact with items retained within the cap. For reasons discussed in greater detail below, the probe-port is preferably positioned in the cap  400  so that a probe inserted therethrough enters the sealant receptacle  401  at the inner socket  403 . 
         [0046]    The closure  406  is best seen in  FIGS. 4C and 4E . The cap closure  406  is preferably a means for elective closing of the sealant receptacle  401 . As shown in  FIGS. 4C and 4E , the closure  406  occupies the open end of the cap  400  and is preferably defined by a plurality of triangular segments which converge at their points and which suitably yield or flex away from said convergence in response to a normal force. Suitably, when the segments converge, the closure  406  closes the cap  400  (more specifically, the sealant receptacle  401  of the cap  400 ). However, when the segments flex or yield, the cap  400  is open so that items may be deposited therein the cap&#39;s  400  sealant receptacle  401 . Notably, items such as wire couplings/splicings may be deposited into the cap  400  through the closure  406  while the wire remnants extended through the closure  406  since the segments suitably flex around, and conform to, said wire remnants (see, e.g.,  FIG. 5C ). Additionally, the closure  406  may check the flow of sealant  402  retained within the sealant receptacle  401  to inhibit its leakage therefrom. Other features and preferable aspects of such a closure are known and disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,113,037 (issued May 12, 1992) and 6,051,791 (issued Apr. 18, 2000). It should be noted that other suitable cap closures are known or will be apparent to one of skill in the art. 
         [0047]    Preferably the cap  400  defines an electrical insulator (i.e., electrically-non-conductive) because, as discussed in greater detail below, the connection of coupled or spliced electrical wires may be retained therein without passing electricity through the cap structure (except, suitably, through any said coupled or spliced wires). Suitable materials for constructing the cap  400  may, therefore, be glass, porcelain, Teflon, composite polymers, rubber-like polymers, wood, and other like insulative materials. A preferable material for cap construction is Nylon or polypropylene. A preferable material for the closure  406  is rubber and rubber-like polymers. Depending on the material, the cap  400  body may be constructed, molded, or machined as multiple pieces or a single piece. In one embodiment the cap  400  body and the closure  406  are molded/machined/constructed separately, and the closure  406  installed on the cap in the manner of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,113,037 (issued May 12, 1992) and 6,051,791 (issued Apr. 18, 2000) or any other known manner. 
         [0048]    In general, a system comprising a cap  400  and a connector  100 ,  200 , or  300  may suitably be used for spark resisting, weather proofing, and/or water-proofing at least one wire-splice or electrical wire coupling. First, a conductor  100 ,  200 ,  300  may be handled via inputting its head  101 ,  201 ,  301  into the external socket  404  of a cap  400 . In a preferable embodiment, the head  101 ,  201 ,  301  is screwed into the socket  404  via the cooperation of male and female threads. Second, the stripped cores of any number of wires may be secured to within the wire-receptacle  102 ,  202 ,  302  of a connector  100 ,  200 ,  300  (via set screw  103 ,  303 , or crimping) so that the wires are electrically coupled by contact with each other and/or the connector  100 ,  200 ,  300 . Third, the connector  100 ,  200 ,  300 , including any retained wire-cores, may be passed into the cap  400  through the closure  406 . Finally the connector  100 ,  200 ,  300  may be deposited into the cap  400 , wherein the head  101 ,  201 ,  301  inputs to the inner socket  403  to removably, yet securely, retain the connector  100 ,  200 ,  300  within the sealant receptacle  401 . Suitably, the sealant receptacle  401  features an amount of sealant  402  so that the connector  100 ,  200 ,  300  and coupled wires are preferably surrounded by the sealant  400  whereby moisture is inhibited from reaching the electrical connection(s) (i.e., the wire coupling(s) within the cap  400 ). The more specific aspects of this system and related methods are best disclosed in reference to  FIGS. 5A through 5C . 
         [0049]      FIG. 5A  is a contextual view of the initial steps in a preferable wire splicing/coupling procedure contemplated by the disclosed system. As alluded to above, the connector  100  may be used to electrically couple wires by anchoring stripped wire cores to within the wire-receptacle  102  via pressure from the set-screw  103 . To assist a user in, among other things, (1) gripping the connector  100 , (2) directing the connector  100  to coupling contact with stripped wire cores, and (3) practicing the crimp or drive-style of the connector  100 ,  200 ,  300 , the cap  400  may removably receive the head  101  of the connector  100  in its external socket  404  so that the cap  400  functions as a handle to the connector  100 . Such cap  400  operability is particularly useful when the wires and connector  100  are tiny relative to a human hand because less skill (hand-coordination) is required to install the connector  100 , when featuring a handle, since the connector  100  is easier to grip, guide, and manipulate. Notably, the drive style required for depressing the set screw  103  into contact with wire cores provided to the wire receptacle  102  is preferably more easily implemented whenever the cap  400  is used as a handle for gripping the connector  100 . In the depicted embodiment, the connector  100  is received at the socket  404  via rotatable cooperation of the male threads of the head  100  and the female threads of the socket  401 . After a wire splice/coupling is made, the connector  100  may be disengaged from the socket  404  of the cap  400 . 
         [0050]      FIGS. 5B and 5C  illustrate the insulating, spark resistance, and waterproofing mechanisms of the cap  400 . More specifically, said figures are respectively a side view and cross-section of a wire-splicing connector  100  being water-proofingly retained within the cap  400 . Wires that are electrically coupled via a connector  100  may be passed through the closure  406  of the cap  400  (which cap  400 , in the preferred embodiment, was formerly employed as a handle for wire installation as disclosed above) so that the wire coupling may be surrounded by a sealant  402  contained within the sealant receptacle  401  of the cap  400 . As mentioned above, sealant surrounding the coupling suitably prevents or inhibits moisture from contacting the coupling. Also mentioned above, the structure of the cap is comprised of material that does not readily conduct electricity whereby the cap insulates the electrical connection of the wires. 
         [0051]    While within the sealant receptacle  401 , the wire coupling may be removably, yet securely retained therein via inputting the head  101  into the internal socket  403 . 
         [0052]      FIGS. 5C and 6  illustrates the manner by which a wire-to-wire connection employing the disclosed system may be accessed by an electrical measuring device without disassembling the system or compromising its insulative, spark resistive, and water/weather proofing properties. As seen in the figures, the probe of an electrical measuring device may be guided through the aperture  405  into conductive contact with the head  101  of the connector  100 . The connector  100 , being composed of conductive material, can electrically communicate to the contacted probe whereby the electrical properties of the connection can be ascertained at any point in the lifetime of the connection without removing the connector  100  from the cap  400 . 
         [0053]    It should be noted that  FIGS. 1 through 7  and the associated description are of illustrative importance only. In other words, the depiction and descriptions of the present invention should not be construed as limiting of the subject matter in this application. For example, the system may be designed with dimension for coupling/splicing wires of any guage or electrical capacity without departing from the spirit and intent of this disclosure. For another example, the male and female characteristics of the connector heads and cap sockets may be swapped whereby the connector features a socket while the cap features internal and external heads. Additional modifications may become apparent to one skilled in the art after reading this disclosure. 
         [0054]    In summary, what is disclosed may be a connector with a head and wire receptacle. What is further disclosed may be a sealant-filled cap with internal and external sockets for receiving the head of a connector. What is also further disclosed may be system for coupling wires comprising (1) a connector with a head and wire receptacle, and (2) a sealant-filled cap with an internal and external socket for receiving the head of said connector. Yet still, what may be disclosed is a method of coupling wires comprising the steps of (1) securing the head of a connector with a sealant-filled cap so that the cap functions as as a handle for the connector, (2) anchoring the wires to said connector, (3) unsecuring the connector plus wires from the cap, (4) depositing the connector plus wires into the cap so that the connector plus wires is surrounded by the sealant. Also disclosed may be a method for placing sealant around a wire connection comprising the steps of (1) securing the head of a connector with sealant filled cap so that the cap functions as as a handle for the connector, (2) anchoring the wires to said connector, (3) unsecuring the connector plus wires from the cap, (4) depositing the connector plus wires into the cap so that the connector plus wires is surrounded by the sealant. Other things may be disclosed which are not specifically summarized above.