IP Library Granted Patent US 8,003,888
Granted Patent B2
US 8,003,888 · App. 12/194,959 · Granted Aug 23, 2011

Electrical junction assembly for wiring harness

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,003,888
App. No.
12/194,959
Granted
Aug 23, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

An electrical junction assembly for a wiring harness ( 10 ) couples one or more branch wires ( 18 ) to a main trunk line ( 12 ). The junction assembly includes a housing ( 16 ) having an internal cavity into which is received first ( 34 ) and second ( 36 ) trunk terminals which interlock with one another and establish electrical conductivity therethrough. A branch wire ( 18 ) is inserted into the housing ( 16 ) through a branch opening ( 28 ). The branch wire ( 18 ) has a branch terminal ( 48 ) on its end which is adapted to mechanically connect to the interlocked first ( 34 ) and second ( 36 ) trunk terminals, thereby establishing electrical conductivity between the branch wire ( 18 ) and the main trunk line ( 12 ). A mounting member ( 56 ) is formed integrally on the housing ( 16 ) to provide a secure connection to a suitable mounting structure ( 58 ). A hook ( 40 ) within the cavity in the housing ( 16 ) automatically engages and securely retains the second trunk terminal ( 36 ) when inserted into a full operative position. Cable seals ( 54 ) on each of the wires ( 18, 30, 32 ) seal against the respective openings ( 22, 24, 28 ) into the housing ( 16 ) to protect the electrical connections established therein.

Claims (27)

1. An electrical junction assembly for coupling one or more branch wires to a main trunk line, said junction assembly comprising:

an electrically insulative housing defining an internal cavity, said housing having a pair of trunk line openings and at least one branch opening, all of said openings communicating directly with said cavity;

a first trunk wire having an electrically conductive core strand surrounded by an insulating jacket, and a first trunk terminal affixed to said core strand thereof, said first trunk terminal extending into said cavity through said one of said trunk line openings;

a second trunk wire having an electrically conductive core strand surrounded by an insulating jacket, and a second trunk terminal affixed to said core strand thereof, said second trunk terminal extending into said cavity through the other of said trunk line openings and directly interlocking with said first trunk terminal in said cavity; and

a branch wire having an electrically conductive core strand surrounded by an insulating jacket, and a branch terminal affixed to said core strand thereof, said branch terminal extending into said cavity through said at least one branch opening and directly interlocking with at least one of said first and second trunk terminals in said cavity; and

wherein said first and second trunk terminals comprise respective female and male interlocking fittings.

2. The junction assembly of claim 1 wherein said cavity includes a generally axially extending main trunk passage with said first trunk opening at one end thereof and said second trunk opening at an opposite end thereof.

3. The junction assembly of claim 2 wherein said cavity includes at least one branch passage intersecting said main trunk passage, said branch opening communicating with said branch passage.

4. The junction assembly of claim 3 wherein said branch passage is oriented generally perpendicular to said axis of said main trunk passage.

5. The junction assembly of claim 3 wherein said cavity includes at least one hook disposed along said main trunk passage for snagging at least one of said first and second trunk terminals.

6. The junction assembly of claim 3 wherein said first and second trunk wires each include a cable seal configured to fully enclose said respective trunk line openings, and said branch wire includes a cable seal configured to fully enclose said branch opening.

7. The junction assembly of claim 1 wherein said male fitting of said second trunk terminal comprises an elongated blade member having at least one laterally extending barb.

8. The junction assembly of claim 7 wherein said branch terminal is configured to interlock directly with said barb of said blade member.

9. The junction assembly of claim 3 further including a mounting member extending from said housing and spaced from each of said trunk line openings.

10. The junction assembly of claim 9 wherein said mounting member is formed integrally with said housing.

11. The junction assembly of claim 10 wherein said mounting member includes a plurality of flexible fins extending from a common stalk.

12. The junction assembly of claim 11 wherein said stalk of said mounting member extending generally parallel to said branch passage.

13. The junction assembly of claim 12 wherein stalk is laterally offset from branch passage.

14. An electrical junction assembly for coupling a plurality of branch wires to a main trunk line, said junction assembly comprising:

an electrically insulative housing defining an internal cavity, said housing having a pair of trunk line openings and a plurality of branch openings, all of said openings communicating directly with said cavity; said cavity including a generally axially extending main trunk passage with one of said trunk line openings at one end thereof and the other of said trunk line openings at an opposite end thereof, and a plurality of branch passages intersecting said main trunk passage;

a mounting member extending integrally from said housing and spaced from each of said trunk line openings, said mounting member including a plurality of flexible fins extending from a common stalk;

a first trunk wire having an electrically conductive core strand surrounded by an insulating jacket, a first trunk terminal affixed to said core strand thereof, and a first cable seal disposed between said jacket and said first trunk terminal, said first trunk terminal extending into said cavity through said one of said trunk line openings;

a second trunk wire having an electrically conductive core strand surrounded by an insulating jacket, a second trunk terminal affixed to said core strand thereof, and a second cable seal disposed between said jacket and said second trunk terminal, said second trunk terminal extending into said cavity through the other of said trunk line openings and directly interlocking with said first trunk terminal in said cavity; and

a branch wire associated with each of said branch passages, each said branch wire having an electrically conductive core strand surrounded by an insulating jacket, a branch terminal affixed to said core strand thereof, and a third cable seal disposed between said jacket and said branch terminal, said branch terminal extending into said cavity through a respective one of said branch openings and directly interlocking with at least one of said first and second trunk terminals in said cavity; and

wherein said first and second trunk terminals comprise respective female and male interlocking fittings.

15. The junction assembly of claim 14 wherein said plurality of branch passages each intersect said main trunk passage and are all oriented generally parallel to one another.

16. The junction assembly of claim 14 wherein, said stalk of said mounting member is oriented generally parallel to said branch passages.

Assignments (19)
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (ABL) Recorded Apr 7, 2023
From: TENNECO INC.; DRIV AUTOMOTIVE INC.; FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL MOTORPARTS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE LLC; TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.; THE PULLMAN COMPANY
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 063268/0506 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS (FIRST LIEN) Recorded Nov 22, 2022
From: DRIV AUTOMOTIVE INC.; FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL MOTORPARTS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE LLC; TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.; TENNECO INC.; THE PULLMAN COMPANY
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 061989/0689 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 19, 2022
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: TENNECO INC.; TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.; TENNECO INTERNATIONAL HOLDING CORP.; THE PULLMAN COMPANY; TENNECO GLOBAL HOLDINGS INC.; CLEVITE INDUSTRIES INC.; TMC TEXAS INC.; CARTER AUTOMOTIVE COMPANY LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE LLC; FELT PRODUCTS MFG. CO. LLC; MUZZY-LYON AUTO PARTS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN IP LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL PISTON RINGS, LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL MOTORPARTS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS LLC; F-M MOTORPARTS TSC LLC; F-M TSC REAL ESTATE HOLDINGS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL VALVE TRAIN INTERNATIONAL LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL SEVIERVILLE, LLC; BECK ARNLEY HOLDINGS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL FILTRATION LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL FINANCING CORPORATION; FEDERAL-MOGUL PRODUCTS US LLC
Reel/Frame 061975/0218 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 19, 2022
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: TENNECO INC.; TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.; THE PULLMAN COMPANY; FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL PRODUCTS US LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL MOTORPARTS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS LLC; DRIV AUTOMOTIVE INC.
Reel/Frame 061971/0156 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 19, 2022
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: TENNECO INC.; TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.; THE PULLMAN COMPANY; FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL PRODUCTS US LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS LLC; DRIV AUTOMOTIVE INC.
Reel/Frame 061975/0031 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 18, 2021
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: FEDERAL-MOGUL PRODUCTS US, LLC, AS SUCCESSOR TO FEDERAL-MOGUL PRODUCTS, INC.; FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE, INC., AS SUCCESSOR TO FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL MOTORPARTS LLC, AS SUCCESSOR TO FEDERAL-MOGUL MOTORPARTS CORPORATION; FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION, LLC, AS SUCCESSOR TO FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION COMPANY; TENNECO INC., AS SUCCESSOR TO FEDERAL-MOGUL LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN LLC; DRIV AUTOMOTIVE INC.
Reel/Frame 058392/0274 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 18, 2021
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: FEDERAL-MOGUL PRODUCTS US, LLC, AS SUCCESSOR TO FEDERAL-MOGUL PRODUCTS, INC.; FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE, INC., AS SUCCESSOR TO FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL MOTORPARTS LLC, AS SUCCESSOR TO FEDERAL-MOGUL MOTORPARTS CORPORATION; FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION, LLC, AS SUCCESSOR TO FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION COMPANY; TENNECO INC., AS SUCCESSOR TO FEDERAL-MOGUL LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN LLC; DRIV AUTOMOTIVE INC.
Reel/Frame 056886/0455 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 17, 2021
From: TENNECO INC.; TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.; THE PULLMAN COMPANY; FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL PRODUCTS US LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS LLC; DRIV AUTOMOTIVE INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 055626/0065 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 1, 2020
From: TENNECO INC.; THE PULLMAN COMPANY; FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL PRODUCTS US LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL MOTORPARTS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS LLC; DRIV AUTOMOTIVE INC.; TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 054555/0592 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 22, 2019
From: FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION COMPANY
To: FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION LLC
Reel/Frame 049821/0536 →
COLLATERAL TRUSTEE RESIGNATION AND APPOINTMENT, JOINDER, ASSUMPTION AND DESIGNATION AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 26, 2018
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS CO-COLLATERAL TRUSTEE AND RESIGNING COLLATERAL TRUSTEE
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS CO-COLLATERAL TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR COLLATERAL TRUSTEE
Reel/Frame 047630/0661 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 22, 2018
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL TRUSTEE
To: FEDERAL-MOGUL LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL MOTORPARTS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION COMPANY; FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS LLC; FEDERAL MOGUL POWERTRAIN LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL PRODUCTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 047276/0554 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 22, 2018
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL TRUSTEE
To: FEDERAL-MOGUL LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL MOTORPARTS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION COMPANY; FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS LLC; FEDERAL MOGUL POWERTRAIN LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL PRODUCTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 047276/0771 →
CONFIRMATORY GRANT OF SECURITY INTERESTS IN UNITED STATES PATENTS Recorded Oct 9, 2018
From: TENNECO INC.; TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.; TENNECO INTERNATIONAL HOLDING CORP.; THE PULLMAN COMPANY; TENNECO GLOBAL HOLDINGS INC.; CLEVITE INDUSTRIES INC.; TMC TEXAS INC.; CARTER AUTOMOTIVE COMPANY LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE LLC; FELT PRODUCTS MFG. CO. LLC; MUZZY-LYON AUTO PARTS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN IP LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL PISTON RINGS, LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL MOTORPARTS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS LLC; F-M MOTORPARTS TSC LLC; F-M TSC REAL ESTATE HOLDINGS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL VALVETRAIN INTERNATIONAL LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL SEVIERVILLE, LLC; BECK ARNLEY HOLDINGS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL FILTRATION LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL FINANCING CORPORATION; FEDERAL-MOGUL PRODUCTS US LLC
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL TRUSTEE
Reel/Frame 047223/0001 →
COLLATERAL TRUSTEE RESIGNATION AND APPOINTMENT AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 3, 2018
From: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL TRUSTEE
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL TRUSTEE
Reel/Frame 045822/0765 →
GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN UNITED STATES PATENTS Recorded Sep 26, 2017
From: FEDERAL-MOGUL LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL PRODUCTS, INC.; FEDERAL-MOGUL MOTORPARTS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION COMPANY; FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE, LLC
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL TRUSTEE
Reel/Frame 044013/0419 →
GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN UNITED STATES PATENTS Recorded Jun 23, 2017
From: FEDERAL-MOGUL LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL PRODUCTS, INC.; FEDERAL-MOGUL MOTORPARTS CORPORATION; FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION COMPANY; FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL TRUSTEE
Reel/Frame 042963/0662 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 20, 2014
From: FEDERAL-MOGUL CORPORATION, A DELAWARE CORPORATION; FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE, INC., A MICHIGAN CORPORATION; FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION COMPANY, A DELAWARE CORPORATION; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN, INC., A MICHIGAN CORPORATION; FEDERAL-MOGUL PRODUCTS, INC. , A MISSORI CORPORATION; FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS LLC, A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL TRUSTEE
Reel/Frame 033204/0707 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 20, 2008
From: OWEN, ROBERT H., SR.
To: FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION COMPANY
Reel/Frame 021418/0130 →