IP Library Granted Patent US 7,125,295
Granted Patent B2
US 7,125,295 · App. 10/960,242 · Granted Oct 24, 2006

Interlocking ring terminals

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,125,295
App. No.
10/960,242
Granted
Oct 24, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present invention provides a terminal ring assembly structured for engagement to a conductor post. The terminal ring assembly of the present invention includes a first ring element and a second ring element, each having a circular body and at least one grip having crimpable barrels for engaging a wire in electrical connectivity. The first and second ring elements further include an interlocking device, in which the interlocking components of the first and second ring elements engage each other so that the first and second ring elements are locked together.

Claims (53)

1. A terminal ring assembly structured to engage a conductor post, said terminal ring assembly comprising:

a first ring clement having a generally first circular body with a first central opening, at least two grips, each said grip having a crimpable barrel structured to engage at least one wire, and an interlock device first component;

a second ring element having a generally second circular body with a central opening, at least one grip having a crimpable barrel structured to engage at least one wire, and an interlock device second component;

wherein said interlock device first and second components are structured to engage each other so that said first ring element and said second ring element are locked together and said first and second ring elements are plated with a corrosion resistant material.

2. The terminal ring assembly of claim 1 , wherein each said crimpable barrel is structured to engage up to two wires.

3. The terminal ring assembly of claim 1 , wherein said second ring element includes two grips, each said grip having a crimpable barrel disposed thereon.

4. The terminal ring assembly of claim 1 , wherein:

said first ring element includes a first and second grip, said first and second grips each having a crimpable barrel disposed thereon; and

said second ring element includes a third and fourth grip, said third and fourth grips each having a crimpable barrel disposed thereon.

5. The terminal ring assembly of claim 4 , wherein each said crimpable barrel is structured to engage two wires.

6. The terminal ring assembly of claim 1 , wherein said second ring clement includes one grip having a crimpable barrel disposed thereon.

7. The terminal ring assembly of claim 1 , wherein:

said first ring element includes a first and second grip, said first arid second grips each having a crimpable barrel disposed thereon; and

said second ring clement includes a third grip having a crimpable barrel disposed thereon.

8. The terminal ring assembly of claim 7 , wherein each said crimpable barrel is structured to engage two wires.

9. The terminal ring assembly of claim 1 , wherein:

said first interlock device includes at least one flexible arcuate tab having a projection;

said second interlock device includes at least one flexible arcuate tab having an opening; and

wherein said projection is structured to engage said opening.

10. The terminal ring assembly of claim 9 , wherein each said projection is a wedge.

11. The terminal ring assembly of claim 9 , wherein:

said first ring element body includes a collar disposed about said central opening, said collar having an outer diameter;

said second ring element central opening having a diameter about the same as said collar diameter; and

wherein said first and second elements are structured to engage each other with said second ring element body abutting said first ring element collar.

12. The terminal ring assembly of claim 11 , wherein:

said first ring element at least one tab is arcuate having generally the same center as said circular body; and

said second ring element at least one tab is arcuate having generally the same center as said circular body.

13. The terminal ring assembly of claim 1 , wherein:

said first ring element interlock device includes a first flexible tab having an opening and a second flexible tab having a projection;

said second ring element includes a third flexible tab having a projection and a fourth flexible tab having an opening; and

wherein said first flexible tab opening is structured to engage said third flexible tab projection and said fourth flexible tab opening is structured to engage said second flexible tab projection.

14. The terminal ring assembly of claim 13 , wherein each said projection is a wedge.

15. The terminal ring assembly of claim 13 , wherein:

said first ring element body includes a collar disposed about said central opening, said collar having a diameter;

said second ring element central opening having a diameter about the same as said collar diameter; and

wherein said first and second elements arc structured to engage each other with said second ring element body abutting said first ring clement collar.

16. The terminal ring assembly of claim 13 , wherein:

said first ring element at least one tab is arcuate having generally the same center as said circular body; and

said second ring element at least one tab is arcuate having generally the same center as said circular body.

17. The terminal ring assembly of claim 16 , wherein each said crimpable barrel is structured to engage two wires.

18. The terminal ring assembly of claim 16 , wherein said second ring clement includes two grips, each said grip having a crimpable barrel disposed thereon.

19. The terminal ring assembly of claim 16 , wherein:

said first ring element includes a first and second grip, said first and second grips each having a crimpable barrel disposed thereon; and

said second ring element includes a third and fourth grip, said third and fourth grips each having a crimpable barrel disposed thereon.

20. The terminal ring assembly of claim 16 , wherein said second ring element includes a grip having two crimpable barrels disposed thereon.

21. The terminal ring assembly of claim 16 , wherein:

said first ring element includes a first and second grip, said first and second grips each having a crimpable barrel disposed thereon; and

said second ring element includes a grip having a crimpable barrel disposed thereon.

22. A terminal ring assembly structured to engage a conductor post, said terminal ring assembly comprising:

a first ring element having a generally first circular body with a first central opening, at least two grips, each said grip having a crimpable barrel structured to engage at least one wire, and an interlock device first component;

a second ring element having a generally second circular body with a central opening, at least one grip having a crimpable barrel structured to engage at least one wire, and an interlock device second component;

wherein said interlock device first and second components are structured to engage each other so that said first ring element and said second ring element are locked together wherein said interlock device first component comprises at least one first arcuate tab having generally a same center as said first circular body and having a first slot positioned in said first circular body between said at least one first arcuate tab and said first central opening and said interlock device second component comprises at least one second arcuate tab having generally the seine center as said second circular body and having a second slot in said second circular body between said at least one second arcuate tab and said second central opening.

23. The terminal ring assembly of claim 22 , wherein said first and second ring elements are plated with a corrosion resistant material.

Assignments (3)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 5, 2011
From: AEES INC.
To: WELLS FARGO CAPITAL FINANCE, LLC, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 026152/0083 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 4, 2010
From: ALCOA FUJIKURA LTD.
To: AEES INC.
Reel/Frame 024794/0754 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 12, 2005
From: ZHAO, WEIPING; FARQUHAR, GEROGE; NOETHEN, GORDON
To: ALCOA FUJIKURA LIMITED
Reel/Frame 016142/0234 →