Torque limited screw for electrical connector

US9929477B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• ILSCO, LLC · US

Inventors

• Michael W. Beiler · Cincinnati, US
• Eric D. Besterman · Cincinnati, US
• Stephen M. Jackson · Mount Joy, US
• Alan Merritt · Cadiz, US
• Philip G. Reed · Cincinnati, US
• Richard L. Shank · Harrisonburg, US
• Thomas M. Sweeney · Sarasota, US
• Carl J. Taylor · Cincinnati, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 27, 2016
• Grant date: Mar 27, 2018
• Expiry date: Apr 27, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F16B35/005
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A torque limited screw is used to secure a conductor to an electrical connector. The screw has a torque limiting feature between a head and a body of the screw which must be overcome by force to break the head free from the screw body. The screw assembly includes a threaded body configured to be releasably coupled to a coupling portion of the connector. A head of the screw assembly is joined to the body via a neck portion which under a specified torque applied to the head fractures to break the head away from the body seated in the connector and securing the conductor. In one embodiment, the screw includes a plate spaced from and coupled to the threaded body for contacting the conductor. The plate is rotatable relative to the threaded body when the threaded body is coupled to the coupling portion of the connector.