US3771104A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Modular element for a solderless expandable terminal strip
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-08-10
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Granted: 1973-11-06
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Expires: 1991-08-10
Abstract
Abstract A modular element for use in a solderless expandable terminal strip molded from non-conductive material and formed with interlocking tenons and mortises. Each module has a screw seated in a well into which other conductor seating wells converge at an acute angle such that the screw crest assembled in the well cuts through the conductor insulation and into the conductor itself thereby making a firm anchorage as well as multiple electrical contacts therewith.
Inventors
- 👤 M Clark
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:51
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R4/00; H01R4/24; H01R4/2475; H01R4/2487
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
A modular element for use in a solderless expandable terminal strip comprising a homogenous block of non-conductive material having a tenon formed in one face and a complementally shaped mortise in a second face thereof each adapted to have an interlocking fit with a similar mortise and tenon respectively of another modular element, said modular element having a threaded well opening through a third face thereof, a plurality of nonthreaded wells opening through said third face closely adjacent the rim of said threaded well with their axes converging toward the axis of said threaded well at an acute angle, said nonthreaded wells being sized to have a close fit with a conductor and the inner ends of said wells opening through the sidewall of said threaded well, and a conductive screw having a hardened sharp-crested thread seated in said threaded well and effective as it is advanced thereinto to have the crest of its thread penetrate into one or more conductors inserted into said nonthreaded wells and effective to anchor said conductor therein and to make a highly effective electrical contact therewith at a plurality of points.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
187 words
A modular element for use in a solderless expandable terminal strip comprising a homogenous block of non-conductive material having a tenon formed in one face and a complementally shaped mortise in a second face thereof each adapted to have an interlocking fit with a similar mortise and tenon respectively of another modular element, said modular element having a threaded well opening through a third face thereof, a plurality of nonthreaded wells opening through said third face closely adjacent the rim of said threaded well with their axes converging toward the axis of said threaded well at an acute angle, said nonthreaded wells being sized to have a close fit with a conductor and the inner ends of said wells opening through the sidewall of said threaded well, and a conductive screw having a hardened sharp-crested thread seated in said threaded well and effective as it is advanced thereinto to have the crest of its thread penetrate into one or more conductors inserted into said nonthreaded wells and effective to anchor said conductor therein and to make a highly effective electrical contact therewith at a plurality of points.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A modular element as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said threaded well has parallel sidewalls.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
A modular element as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said threaded well is substantially deeper than the length of said screw, and said screw having a kerfed head the end surface of which lies below the third face of said block when said screw is tightened against a conductor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
A modular element as defined in claim 3 characterized in that the shank of said screw flares to the diameter of the crest of the thread formed therealong to provide a flaring head for the screw, and the outer end portion of said threaded well being flared complementally to the flare on the screw head and cooperating therewith to limit tightening of the screw.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A modular element as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said tenon and mortise are disposed on the opposed faces of said block.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A modular element as defined in claim 5 characterized in that said tenon and mortise extend from edge to edge of said first and second block faces.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A modular element as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said block is molded in one piece from high strength plastic material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A modular element as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said block includes at least one opening to receive a fastener for securing said block to a support.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
A modular element as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said screw thread projects into said non-threaded wells sufficiently to pass through insulation covering a conductor and to penetrate into the conductor itself at a plurality of points whereby it is unnecessary to remove the conductor insulation to provide electrical contact with said screw as it is tightened.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
A modular element as defined in claim 1 characterized in being interlocked with a plurality of identical modular elements along at least one of said first and second faces, and means for securing said interlocked modular elements to a common support juxtaposed to a fourth face of said modular elements.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-05 | 1977-05-07 | 1977-11-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-05 | 1981-05-07 | 1981-11-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-05 | 1985-05-07 | 1985-11-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |