Electrical connector including cold shrink core and thermoplastic elastomer material and associated methods
US6796820B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 15, 2003 |
| Grant date | Sep 28, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 15, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S439/921
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An electrical connector includes a connector body having a passageway therethrough. The connector body may include a first layer adjacent the passageway, a second layer surrounding the first layer, and a third layer surrounding the second layer. At least one of the layers may include a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material. The connector may also include a cold shrink core within at least a portion of the passageway. The cold shrink core may include a carrier and a release member connected thereto so that the carrier maintains adjacent connector portions in an expanded state, such as to permit insertion of an electrical conductor. The release member can then be activated, such as pulling, to remove the cold shrink core so that the connector closes upon the electrical conductor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.