IP Library Granted Patent US 7,645,173
Granted Patent B2
US 7,645,173 · App. 11/568,795 · Granted Jan 12, 2010

Adjustable cable connector wire guide and connector assembly incorporating the same

Assignee: Tyco Thermal Controls LLC
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,645,173
App. No.
11/568,795
Granted
Jan 12, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

A cable connector wire guide and a connector assembly including the same. The wire guide includes first and second portions defining a cable opening. The first and second portions are configured to allow for expansion of the cable opening to allow cables of different dimensions to be received within the cable opening.

Claims (42)

1. A wire guide assembly comprising:

a first wire guide portion having a first surface configured for defining a first portion of a cable opening; and

a second wire guide portion disposed adjacent said first wire guide portion, said second wire guide portion having a second surface configured for defining a second portion of said cable opening;

at least one of said first and second wire guide portions being movable relative to the other of said portions for allowing expansion of said cable opening to allow said cable opening to receive electrical cables of different widths; and,

at least one insulation displacement connector (IDC) coupled to said at least one of said first and second wire guide portions for making electrical connection to said electrical cables of different widths,

said assembly comprising a first spring for biasing said first wire guide portion toward said second wire guide portion and a second spring for biasing said second wire guide portion toward said first wire guide portion.

2. A wire guide assembly comprising:

a first wire guide portion having a first surface configured for defining a first portion of a cable opening; and

a second wire guide portion disposed adjacent said first wire guide portion, said second wire guide portion having a second surface configured for defining a second portion of said cable opening;

at least one of said first and second wire guide portions being movable relative to the other of said portions for allowing expansion of said cable opening to allow said cable opening to receive electrical cables of different widths; and,

at least one insulation displacement connector (IDC) coupled to said at least one of said first and second wire guide portions for making electrical connection to said electrical cables of different widths; wherein

a first insulation displacement connector (IDC) fork coupled to said first wire guide portion for making electrical connection to first electrodes of said electrical cables of different widths; and

a second IDC fork coupled to said second wire guide portion for making electrical connection to second electrodes of said electrical cables of different widths; and

a first spring for biasing said first wire guide portion toward said second wire guide portion and a second spring for biasing said second wire guide portion toward said first wire guide portion.

3. A wire guide assembly comprising:

a first wire guide portion having a first surface configured for defining a first portion of a cable opening; and

a second wire guide portion disposed adjacent said first wire guide portion, said second wire guide portion having a second surface configured for defining a second portion of said cable opening;

at least one of said first and second wire guide portions being movable relative to the other of said portions for allowing expansion of said cable opening to allow said cable opening to receive electrical cables of different widths; and,

at least one insulation displacement connector (IDC) coupled to said at least one of said first and second wire guide portions for making electrical connection to said electrical cables of different widths;

wherein each of said first and second wire guide portions comprises at least one projection extending from a surface thereof and configured to slidably mate with a corresponding feature in the other of said first and second wire guide portions.

4. A connector assembly comprising:

a housing;

a first wire guide portion disposed in said housing and having a first surface configured for defining a first portion of a cable opening; and

a second wire guide portion disposed in said housing adjacent said first wire guide portion, said second wire guide portion having a second surface configured for defining a second portion of said cable opening;

at least one of said first and second wire guide portions being movable relative to the other of said portions for allowing expansion of said cable opening to allow said cable opening to receive electrical cables of different widths; and,

at least one insulation displacement connector (IDC) coupled to said at least one of said first and second wire guide portions for making electrical connection to said electrical cables of different widths, wherein

a first spring for biasing said first wire guide portion toward said second wire guide portion and a second spring for biasing said second wire guide portion toward said first wire guide portion.

5. A connector assembly comprising:

a housing;

a first wire guide portion disposed in said housing and having a first surface configured for defining a first portion of a cable opening; and

a second wire guide portion disposed in said housing adjacent said first wire guide portion, said second wire guide portion having a second surface configured for defining a second portion of said cable opening;

at least one of said first and second wire guide portions being movable relative to the other of said portions for allowing expansion of said cable opening to allow said cable opening to receive electrical cables of different widths; and,

at least one insulation displacement connector (IDC) coupled to said at least one of said first and second wire guide portions for making electrical connection to said electrical cables of different widths, wherein

a first insulation displacement connector (IDC) fork coupled to said first wire guide portion for making electrical connection to first electrodes of said electrical cables of different widths; and

a second IDC fork coupled to said second wire guide portion for making electrical connection to second electrodes of said electrical cables of different widths, and

a first spring for biasing said first wire guide portion toward said second wire guide portion and a second spring for biasing said second wire guide portion toward said first wire guide portion.

6. A connector assembly comprising:

a housing;

a first wire guide portion disposed in said housing and having a first surface configured for defining a first portion of a cable opening; and

a second wire guide portion disposed in said housing adjacent said first wire guide portion, said second wire guide portion having a second surface configured for defining a second portion of said cable opening;

at least one of said first and second wire guide portions being movable relative to the other of said portions for allowing expansion of said cable opening to allow said cable opening to receive electrical cables of different widths; and,

at least one insulation displacement connector (IDC) coupled to said at least one of said first and second wire guide portions for making electrical connection to said electrical cables of different widths, wherein each of said first and second wire guide portions comprises at least one projection extending from a surface thereof and configured to slidably mate with a corresponding feature in the other of said first and second wire guide portions.

Assignments (5)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 3, 2026
From: NVENT SERVICES GMB
To: CHEMELEX EUROPE GMBH
Reel/Frame 074842/0256 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 28, 2018
From: PENTAIR FLOW SERVICES AG
To: NVENT SERVICES GMBH
Reel/Frame 045662/0549 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 28, 2018
From: PENTAIR THERMAL MANAGEMENT LLC
To: PENTAIR FLOW SERVICES AG
Reel/Frame 045470/0001 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 27, 2018
From: TYCO THERMAL CONTROLS LLC
To: PENTAIR THERMAL MANAGEMENT LLC
Reel/Frame 045452/0864 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 30, 2009
From: LARKIN, BRIAN S.
To: TYCO THERMAL CONTROLS LLC
Reel/Frame 023577/0681 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 6056947400 · May 7, 2004
Related Publication 20080182449A1 · Jul 31, 2008