Patent Publication Number: US-11394134-B1

Title: Camlock electrical connector

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to electrical connectors, and more particularly to insulation displacement connectors used to connect conventional zipcord-type electrical wire to plug and play cabling. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Insulation displacement connectors (IDC) are commonly utilized for creating connections between insulated electrical wiring and various electrical components. While there are many varieties of IDCs, there are few which are specifically designed for plug and play connections and none which provide a compact, simple, repeatable and reliable IDC which allows trunk and branch wiring with varying connector intervals. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is thus the object of the present invention to overcome the limitations and deficiencies of existing IDCs utilized for plug and play cabling and like applications, by providing a unique IDC in the form of a camlock electrical connector. 
     This and other objects are accomplished by the present invention, a camlock electrical connector for providing a secure watertight connection between electrical wiring and plug and play cabling. The electrical connector has a first connector member with a bottom platform having an opening and a wall upstanding from the platform. Pointed pin elements extend outwardly from the wall and a cable connector extends outwardly from and externally of the wall. A second connector member has a connector body with a fulcrum peg extending downwardly from the body. The peg is configured to be inserted into the opening in the platform, the second connector member with its peg being rotatable in relation to the first connector member. When the peg is inserted into the opening and electrical wiring is positioned between the wall of the first connector and the body of the second connector member, rotation of the second connection member and its peg in  relation to the first connection member causes the pin elements to pierce the electrical wiring, thereby securing the wiring to the electrical connector. 
     The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention, itself, however, both as to its design, construction and use, together with additional features and advantages thereof, are best understood upon review of the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded view of the components of the electrical connector of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows the open position of the connector members of the electrical connector of the present invention with its connector members in the open position. 
         FIG. 3  shows the electrical connector of the present invention with its connector member in the closed position. 
         FIGS. 4-6  show the process in which electrical wiring and cabling are secured to the electrical connector of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 7-10  illustrates the stackable nature of the electrical connector of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Electrical connector  1  of the present invention comprises first connector member  2  and second connector member  30 . Connector members  2  and  30  are configured to be joined in order to provide a secure watertight connection between zipcord electrical wiring and plug and play cabling. 
     First connector member  2  comprises platform  4  having opening  6  extending through the platform. Wall  8  is upstanding from platform  4  and has modified internal concave surface  10 . Cantilevered wall  12  with inset notch  13  overhangs wall  8  and serves to lock connector member  2  with second connector  30 , as is further described below. Sharply pointed gold-plated pin elements  14  and  16  extend outwardly from wall  8 , in the direction of platform  4 . Pin elements  14  and  16  are multi-pronged and angled to allow for increased surface area of the elements&#39; conductors, allowing for a greater margin of error during the installation process. That is, if the installer fails to properly position the electrical wiring between first connector member  2  and second connector member  30 , as described in further detail below, the unique orientation of pin elements  14  and  16  assists in assuring that an electrical connection will be made. Threaded cable connector  18  extends outwardly from and externally of wall  8 . Through hole  39  with an Allen-key socket is provided for a mounting screw to affix electrical connector  1  to a desired surface. Hole  39  also allows for a means of stacking connectors  1   a , via peg  34   a , as illustrated in  FIGS. 7-10 ; thus establishing increased versatility by providing additional plug and play options. 
     Guide member  20  is located adjacent to wall  8 . It has modified convex outer surface  22  which corresponds with concave surface  10  of wall  8 . Channels  24  and  26  within guide member  20  have modified concave surfaces, configured to except electrical wiring within the guide member and, hence within first connector member  2 . Slits  27  and  29  extending through channels  24  and  26  are provided for the placement of pin elements  14  and  16  through guide member  20 . Guide member  20  acts as a grommet seal which enables electrical connector  1  to achieve an IP68 rating (submersible beyond one meter for thirty minutes). 
     Second connector member  30  comprises connector body  32 , body interior surface  33 , and fulcrum peg  34  which extends downwardly from the body. Cantilevered wall  36  with locking tab  38  overhangs connector body  32 . Peg  34  of connector member  30  is configured to be inserted into opening  6  of connector member  2 , which allows connector member  30  to be rotatable about connector member  2 . 
     In use, connector member  30  is rotated about connector member  2  to a first, open position, creating open space  40  between the connector members, as seen best in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . Electrical wiring  50  is then positioned in open space  40 , within channels  24  and  26  of guide member  20 . See  FIG. 5 . Connector member  30  is then rotated about its peg  34 , within opening  6  of connector member  2 , to a second, closed position in which the connector members are locked together, as seen in  FIG. 6 . In this position, interior surface  33  of connector body  32  is substantially flush against guide member surface  22  and locking tab  38  is inserted into inset notch  13 . This establishes a lock between connector members  2  and  30 , compressing electrical wiring  50  between these connector members. This results in pointed pin elements  14  and  16  piercing electrical wiring  50 , creating an electrical connection between the wiring and cable  60 , which is attached to cable connector  18 . The plug and play cabling connection has been established. 
     The present invention, as disclosed, is shown for plug and play output. However, it could also be designed to utilize a conventional zipcord input/output, or integrated into an electrical device, e.g. a light fixture; speaker, etc. 
     Certain novel features and components of this invention are disclosed in detail in order to make the invention clear in at least one form thereof. However, it is to be clearly understood that the invention as disclosed is not necessarily limited to the exact form and details as disclosed, since it is apparent that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.