Patent Abstract:
A housing for retaining an insulation piercing connector (IPC) includes an upper housing, a lower housing, and a hinge. The lower housing includes a cavity formed therein. The hinge is coupled to the upper housing and the lower housing to permit movement of the upper housing and the lower housing into open and closed configurations. When in the closed configuration, the upper housing is aligned with the lower housing. The second cavity is configured to received\ the IPC. The lower housing includes an aperture formed transversely therethrough for receiving a cable extending from the IPC upon receipt of the IPC into the second cavity.

Full Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 based on U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/587,760 filed Jan. 18, 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
       [0002]    Typically, power is distributed from an insulated overhead cable either by stripping a section of the cable and using a conventional connector, or alternatively, by using an insulation piercing connector (IPC). An IPC makes an electrical contact with the cable when a conducting portion of the IPC pierces the insulation of the cable. Power is drawn from the cable via a tap that is attached to the IPC. 
         [0003]    A typical IPC provides for a single tap. This can be a disadvantage in a crowded urban environment where multiple taps are needed to supply power to multiple dwelling units. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments described herein and, together with the description, explain the embodiments. In the drawings: 
           [0005]      FIG. 1A  is an isometric perspective top view of an exemplary insulation piercing connector (IPC) housing in a closed configuration; 
           [0006]      FIG. 1B  is an isometric perspective top view of the IPC housing of  FIG. 1A  in an open configuration; 
           [0007]      FIG. 1C  is an isometric perspective bottom view of the IPC housing of  FIG. 1A  in the open configuration, with an IPC in a position to be placed inside the IPC housing; 
           [0008]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  are top and bottom views, respectively, of the IPC housing of  FIG. 1A  in the closed configuration; 
           [0009]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are top and bottom views, respectively, of the IPC housing of  FIG. 1A  in the open configuration; 
           [0010]      FIGS. 4A ,  4 B, and  4 C are side, rear, and front views, respectively, of the IPC housing of  FIG. 1A  in the closed configuration; and 
           [0011]      FIGS. 5A ,  5 B, and  5 C are side, rear, and front views, respectively, of the IPC housing of  FIG. 1A  in the open configuration. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0012]    The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements. 
         [0013]    As described herein, an insulation piercing connector (IPC) housing insulates an IPC that may be used with a single duplex or triplex cable. The IPC housing prevents shorts and protects installers. In addition, the IPC housing includes a feature that may be used with a serialized utility lock to secure the housing. The feature and the lock may prevent unauthorized opening of the IPC housing, tapping the IPC within the IPC housing, and stealing power from the IPC. 
         [0014]      FIGS. 1A ,  2 A,  2 B,  4 A,  4 B, and  4 C are an isometric perspective top view, a bottom view, a top view, a side view, a rear view, and a front view, respectively, of an exemplary IPC housing  100  in a closed configuration. IPC housing  100  may contain an IPC (shown at  160  in  FIG. 1C ) that is coupled to a cable (not shown). In some implementations, for example, the cable may include an overhead power line that is suspended via towers or utility poles. When the IPC is attached to the power line, the IPC and IPC housing  100  may be located/positioned at some distance (e.g., 2-8 feet) away from the body of the tower/pole. As shown in FIGS.  1 A and  4 A- 4 C, IPC housing  100  may include upper cover  102  and lower cover  104 . Upper cover  102  and lower cover  104  may be coupled together via hinge  120 . IPC housing  100  may be made of different types of material, such as a plastic molding (e.g., thermo plastic (e.g., polyethylene), rubber, etc. that may protect an installer of the IPC/IPC housing  100  and prevent wires/cables attached to the IPC from shorting. 
         [0015]      FIGS. 1B ,  3 A,  3 B,  5 A,  5 B, and  5 C are an isometric perspective top view, a top view, a bottom view, a side view, a rear view, and a front view, respectively, of IPC housing  100  in an open configuration. As shown, IPC housing  100  is initially empty prior to insertion of an IPC. Top cover  102  and bottom cover  104  provide space for containing the IPC. 
         [0016]      FIG. 1C  is an isometric perspective bottom view of IPC housing  100  in the open configuration, with an IPC  160  in a position to be placed inside IPC housing  100 . IPC  160  is typically made of a conducting material or metal, such copper alloy, steel, aluminum, etc. As shown, IPC  160  may include a body/trunk  162 , lower jaw  164 , and upper jaw  166 . In some implementations, body/trunk  162 , lower jaw  164 , and upper jaw  166  may be integrally formed in a U-shape from a single material. 
         [0017]    Body/trunk  162  of IPC  160  may include one or more holes  176 , into which cables/lines for tapping power may be inserted. Although not visible in  FIG. 1C , a top/side of body/trunk  162  may provide for threaded openings into which screws may be inserted and tightened against cables/lines in holes  176 . The screws may securely hold the ends of cables/lines in holes  176 . 
         [0018]    Upper jaw  166  may include teeth or serration  168  on its surface facing lower jaw  164 . Depending on the implementation, teeth/serration  168  may be formed of material different from that of body/trunk  162 , upper jaw  166  or lower jaw  164 , such that teeth/serration  168  provides for higher conductivity than other portions of IPC  160 . Lower jaw  164  may include a hole whose axis is in the direction toward upper jaw  166 . The hole may accommodate a screw/bolt  170 . 
         [0019]    When screw/bolt  170  is inserted into the hole and turned (e.g., clockwise), holding end  174  of screw/bolt  170  moves toward teeth/serration  168  of upper jaw  166 . If a cable is placed in the spacing between teeth/serration  168  and holding end  174  of screw/bolt  170 , and screw/bolt  170  is tightened (e.g., via bolt head  172 ), holding end  174  may be made to push the cable against teeth/serration  168  with sufficient force for teeth/serration  168  to pierce/penetrate the insulation of the cable, to therefore make an electrical/conductive contact with the conductor within the cable. Once cables are affixed in holes  176  and the spacing between teeth/serration  168  and holding end  174 , IPC  160  may be inserted into lower cover  104  in the direction of arrow  180 . Upper cover  102  may be closed about hinge  120  in the direction of arrow  180 . When IPC  160  is inside IPC housing  100  that is closed (e.g.,  FIG. 1A ), the cables attached to IPC  160  may extend from IPC  160  to the outside of IPC housing  100  through different portions of IPC housing  100 , as described below. 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIGS. 1A-1C  and  3 A- 3 C, upper cover  102  may include front wall  130 - 1 , side wall  130 - 2 , rear wall  130 - 3 , side wall  130 - 4  (collectively “walls  130 ”), and a panel  110  that partially enclose/surround a cavity within upper cover  102 . As shown, walls  130 - 1  through  130 - 4  may be substantially perpendicular to panel  110 . Furthermore, each of walls  130 - 1  through  130 - 4  may be perpendicularly adjoined to two of the other walls  130 . Walls  130 - 2  and  130 - 4  include notched portions whose height (measured from panel  110  to its edge) is lower than that of walls  130 - 1  and  130 - 3  as shown in  FIGS. 1B ,  4 A, and  5 A. 
         [0021]    Lower cover  104  may include front wall  132 - 1 , side wall  132 - 2 , rear wall  132 - 3 , side wall  132 - 4  (collectively walls  132 ), and a panel  134  that partially enclose/surround a cavity within lower cover  104 . As shown in  FIG. 1B , walls  132 - 1  through  132 - 4  may be perpendicular to panel  134 . Furthermore, each of walls  132 - 1  through  132 - 4  may be perpendicularly adjoined to two of the other walls  132 . Walls  132 - 2  and  132 - 4  include notched portions whose height (measured from panel  134  to its edge) is lower than that of walls  132 - 1  and  132 - 3 , as shown in  FIGS. 1B ,  4 A, and  5 A. 
         [0022]    In one embodiment, when IPC housing  100  is closed, the top edge surfaces of walls  130 - 1  and  130 - 3  are brought to contact the top edge surfaces of walls  132 - 1  and  132 - 3 , respectively, while the short portions of walls  130 - 2  and  130 - 4  and  132 - 2  and  132 - 4  provide for two side openings to IPC housing  100 . If IPC  160  with cables that are attached to holes  160  of IPC  160  is within IPC housing  100 , the cables would extend or project from IPC housing  100  via the side openings/gaps formed by the notched portions of walls  130 - 2  and  132 - 2  and  130 - 4  and  132 - 4  when IPC housing  100  is closed. 
         [0023]    In one implementation, wall  130 - 2  includes fins  106 - 1 . Each of fins  106 - 1  is partially separated from other fins  106 - 1  by slits  107 , one of which is labeled in  FIG. 1A . Fins  106 - 1  are attached to wall  130 - 2  such that fins  106 - 1 , from the portion attached to wall  130 - 2 , are slanted toward the plane at which walls  130  of upper cover  102  and walls  132  of lower cover  104  meet when IPC housing  100  is closed. 
         [0024]    Similar to wall  130 - 2 , each of walls  130 - 4 ,  132 - 2 , and  132 - 4  includes fins  106 - 2 ,  106 - 4 , and  106 - 3 , respectively. Each of fins  106 - 2 ,  106 - 4 , and  106 - 3  is attached to its respective wall in the manner described above with respect to fins  106 - 1 . 
         [0025]    When IPC housing  100  is closed, fins  106 - 1  of wall  130 - 2  and fins  106 - 4  of wall  132 - 2  cover the opening formed by the notched portions of walls  130 - 2  and  130 - 4 . If IPC  160  with cables in holes  176  are placed within IPC housing  100 , fins  106 - 1  and  106 - 4  bend to allow the cables to extend from IPC  160  to the outside of housing  100 . Because fins  106 - 1  and  106 - 4  cover the opening formed by walls  130 - 2  and  130 - 4 , to steal power by tapping IPC  160  using wires, the wires must pass through fins  106 - 1  and  106 - 4  to reach and contact IPC  160 . Hence, fins  106 - 1  and  106 - 2  provide for protection against power theft. 
         [0026]    Similarly, when IPC housing  100  is closed, fins  106 - 2  of wall  130 - 4  and  106 - 3  of wall  132 - 4  cover the opening formed by walls  130 - 4  and  132 - 4 . If IPC  160  with cables in holes  176  are placed within IPC housing  100 , fins  106 - 2  and  106 - 3  allow the cables to extend from IPC  160  to the outside of IPC housing  100 . Because fins  106 - 2  and  106 - 3  cover the opening formed by walls  10 - 4  and  132 - 4 , to steal power by tapping IPC  160  using wires, the wires must pass through fins  106 - 2  and  106 - 3  to reach and contact IPC  160 . 
         [0027]    Because each of fins  106 - 1  through  106 - 4  is partially separated from other fins via slits  107 , if a cable juts out from IPC  160  through a pair of upper and lower fins, fins that are next to the pair of fins remain shut, still covering portions of the openings (in IPC housing  100 ) through which other holes  176  of IPC  160  may be accessed. 
         [0028]    Fins  106 - 1  through  106 - 4  may be constructed to be thinner than walls  130  and  132 , so that fins  106 - 1  through  106 - 4  are more flexible than walls  130  and  132 . In some constructions, fins  106 - 1  through  106 - 4  may be tapered to be thinner as they extend from walls  130  and  132 . In some implementations, fins  106 - 1  through  106 - 4  may be made of the same material as walls  130  and  132  or other portions of IPC housing  100 . In other implementations, IPC housing  100  may be made of a different material. 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIGS. 1B and 1C , wall  130 - 3  of upper cover  102  and wall  132 - 1  of lower cover  104  are attached/connected to one another via hinge  120 . Although hinge  120  is shown as a plastic, folding type hinge, in other implementations, hinge  120  may include another type of hinge, such as a butt hinge, butterfly hinge, piano hinge, etc. Upper cover  102  and lower cover  104  may swivel relative one another about hinge  120 , to open and close IPC housing  100 . In a different implementation, IPC housing  100  may exclude hinge  120 , and upper cover  102  may be attached lower cover  104  by another component (e.g., a plastic string, wire, etc.). In some implementations, IPC housing  100  may be closed by snap-fitting upper cover  102  and lower cover  104  to one another and securing upper cover  102  and lower cover  104  with screws. 
         [0030]    Front wall  130 - 1  of upper cover  102  may include an upper locking piece  116 , which juts away from the exterior side of wall  130 - 1 . Upper locking piece  116  is supported from front wall  130 - 1  by support members  114 - 1 ,  114 - 2 , and  114 - 3 . Support members  114 - 1 ,  114 - 2 , and  114 - 3  may be equally spaced apart from one another and attached to the exterior surface of front wall  130 - 1 . Furthermore, support members  114 - 1  through  114 - 3  may extend from the points of attachment, away from the surface of wall  130 - 1  in the direction perpendicular to panel  110 , toward upper locking piece  116 . 
         [0031]    Similarly, front wall  132 - 1  of lower cover  104  may include a lower-locking piece  144  and protrusions  142 - 1  and  142 - 2 . Lower locking piece  144  and protrusions  142 - 1  and  142 - 2  extend away from the exterior surface of front wall  132 - 1 . Lower locking piece  144  is positioned under and between protrusions  142 - 1  and  142 - 2 , between the plane of panel  132  and the flats of the edges of walls  132 . 
         [0032]    When IPC housing  100  is closed, upper locking piece  116  is placed over front wall  132 - 1 , and comes into contact with lower locking piece  144 . Protrusion  142 - 1  of front wall  132 - 1  fits into the spacing between support members  114 - 2  and  114 - 3 , and protrusion  142 - 2  of front wall  132 - 1  fits into the spacing between support members  114 - 1  and  114 - 3 . 
         [0033]    Protrusion  142 - 1  may be shaped like a flat piece of a right triangle, with one edge of the triangle attached to front wall  132 - 1  ( FIG. 5A ). Therefore, as upper locking piece  116  is brought toward lower locking piece  144  over protrusion  142 - 1  (and protrusion  142 - 2 ), upper locking piece  116  first contacts the outer edge (i.e., the hypotenuse) of triangular protrusion  142 - 1 . The contact may prevent the upper locking piece  116  from touching lower locking piece  144 , until additional force is applied to bring upper cover  102  together with lower cover  104 . Upon application of necessary force, upper locking piece  116  may be forcibly slid over protrusions  142  and may snap into a position underneath the base of triangular protrusions  142 - 1 . 
         [0034]    When IPC housing  100  is closed, hole  117  in upper locking piece  116  aligns with hole  146  in lower locking piece  144 , and provides for the bolt of a lock to pass there-through. When the lock is secured, the lock may prevent upper locking piece  116  and lower locking piece  144  of IPC housing  100  from separating and opening IPC housing  100 . 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIGS. 1B and 3A , upper cover  102  includes two columns  115 . The inner surface of front wall  130 - 1  adjacent to two columns  115 , which project from panel  110  to a point above front wall  130 - 1 . When IPC housing  100  is closed, the tips of columns  115  of upper cover  102  fit into corresponding groove/notches  143  on front wall  132 - 1  of lower cover  104 . Columns  115  provide for additional stability in preventing upper cover  102  from sliding laterally against lower cover  104  when IPC housing  100  is closed. In some implementations, upper cover  102  may include barbs in place of columns  115 . In such implementations, when IPC housing  100  is closed, the barbs may hook into the notches of lower cover  104 , to securely hold upper cover  102  and lower cover  104  together. 
         [0036]    Panels  110  and  132  include holes  112  and  136 , respectively. Holes  112  and  136  allow moisture or water that sometimes collects inside of IPC housing  100  to leak/dry out and prevent the moisture from causing problems (e.g., rusting, corrosion, etc.). In addition, panels  110  and  132  may include ridges  108  and  150  in the lengthwise directions on exterior surfaces thereof. Ridges  108  and  150  provide for additional strength and rigidity to upper cover  102  and lower cover  104 . 
         [0037]    Panel  110  includes area  111  that is clear of ridges  108 . Depending on the implementation, area  111  may display letters, logos, symbols, pictures, etc. 
         [0038]    Walls  132 - 2  and  132 - 4  include semi-oval holes  136 - 1  and  136 - 2 , respectively. Semi-oval hole  136 - 1  extends from about the center of wall  132 - 2  to the top edge of wall  132 - 2 . Semi-oval hole  136 - 2  extends over a corresponding area in wall  132 - 4 . Holes  136 - 1  and  136 - 2  permit a cable that is held by teeth/serration  168  of upper jaw  166  and holding end  174  of screw/bolt  170  of IPC  160  to pass through IPC housing  100  while preventing or limiting unauthorized access to IPC  160 . 
         [0039]    Walls  132 - 2  and  132 - 4  include rounded portions  140 - 1  and  140 - 2  that cover semi-oval holes  136 - 1  and  136 - 2 , respectively. As shown in  FIG. 1C , rounded portion  140 - 1  protrude/bulge outwardly from the plane of wall  132 - 2 . Rounded portion  140 - 1  includes multiple crossing slits  156  that form flaps  154  in rounded portion  140 - 1 . That is, each flap  154  in rounded portion  140 - 1  is cut or separated from other flaps through slits  156 . As shown in  FIGS. 1C ,  4 A and  5 A, a central slit  158  extends from the center of rounded portion  154  toward fins  106 - 4 . Rounded portion  140 - 2  is constructed similarly as rounded portion  140 - 1 . 
         [0040]    When a cable is held by upper teeth/serration  168  of upper jaw  166  and holding end  174  of screw  170 , and IPC  160  is inserted into lower cover  104  (in the direction of arrow  180 ), the cable may be substantially perpendicular to the planes of walls  132 . As IPC  160  is inserted into lower cover  104 , the cable pushes against the middle of fins  106 - 4  and  106 - 3 . As IPC  160  is pushed further into lower cover  104 , fins  106 - 4  (and fins  106 - 3 ) are separated, giving way to central slit  158  of rounded portion  140 - 1 . As IPC  160  is pushed further into lower cover  104 , individual flaps  154  of rounded portion  140 - 1  (and  140 - 2 ) are also separated, to accommodate the cable. At this point, each of the individual flaps  154  outwardly extend from the plane of wall  132 - 2  along the surface of the cable, gripping the cable. Rounded portion  140 - 2  and corresponding flaps  154  may be constructed similarly as rounded portion  140 - 1  and its flaps  154  and may operate similarly. 
         [0041]    When IPC  160  is inside IPC housing  100  and IPC housing  100  is closed, because flaps  154  protrude outward and away from walls  132 - 2  and  132 - 4  and they apply force to the cable held by teeth/serration  168  and holding end  174  associated with IPC  160 , accessing IPC  160  through flaps  154  and tapping IPC  160  to steal power may be difficult. In some implementations, to provide flexibility to flaps  154 , each of flaps  154  may be constructed such that each flap&#39;s thickness is tapered from its base near wall  132 - 2  (or  132 - 4 ) toward its tip. In addition, depending on the implementation, flaps  154  may be made of a material different form that of walls  132 . 
         [0042]    As described above, IPC housing  100  insulates and/or protects IPC  160  that may be used with a duplex or triplex cable. IPC housing  100  prevents shorts and protects installers. In addition, IPC housing  100  includes upper locking piece  116  and lower locking piece  144  that may be used with a serialized utility lock (or another type of lock) to secure IPC housing  100 . Upper locking piece  116 , lower locking piece  144  and the lock may prevent unauthorized opening of IPC housing  100 , tapping IPC  160  within IPC housing  100 , and stealing power from IPC  160 . 
         [0043]    The foregoing description of implementations provides illustration, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the implementations to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the teachings. 
         [0044]    For example, walls  130 - 2  and  132 - 2  and walls  130 - 4  and  132 - 4  are described above as forming openings for wires that tap IPC  160  within IPC housing  100 . In other implementations, walls  132 - 2  and  132 - 4  may include holes, similar to holes  136 - 1  and  136 - 2 , for accommodating wires that tap IPC  160 . In such implementations, in place of fins  106 - 1  through  106 - 4 , walls  132 - 2  and  132 - 4  may include a number of portions that are similarly constructed as rounded portions  140 - 1  and  140 - 2  (e.g., having a central slit and flaps), to protect IPC  160  against unauthorized access. 
         [0045]    Although different implementations have been described above, it is expressly understood that it will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that the implementations may be modified without departing from the spirit of the invention. Various changes of form, design, or arrangement may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the above mentioned description is to be considered exemplary, rather than limiting, and the true scope of the invention is that defined in the following claims. 
         [0046]    No element, act, or instruction used in the present application should be construed as critical or essential to the implementations described herein unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more items. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7