Push-in electrical connector insertable from the inside or outside of a junction box
A push-in electrical connector for connecting one or more electrical cables at a knockout of an electrical junction box or panel. The electrical connector includes a substantially tubular connector body with a sidewall, a flange, an inner body portion extending from the flange to an inner end, and an outer body portion extending from the flange to an outer end. The inner body portion includes two flexible gripper jaws and an inner seat. The outer body portion includes two compressible arms and an outer seat. The electrical connector body may include a dividing wall for maintaining separation between electrical cables. The gripper jaws and compressible arms enable secure attachment of one or more cables to an electrical panel or box.
1. An electrical connector, comprising:
a tubular connector body including a sidewall, a bore, a flange, an inner end, and an outer end;
an inner body portion extending from said flange to said inner end;
an outer body portion extending from said flange to said outer end;
at least one gripper jaw extending from said inner body portion;
at least one compressible arm extending from said outer body portion;
a distal edge on said gripper jaw;
an outer notch on said outer body portion;
said outer notch extending from said outer end of said connector and terminating at an outer abutment surface of said flange, said outer notch forming an open channel from said outer end to said flange; and
said outer notch is an inwardly arcuate portion of the sidewall of the connector body.
2. The electrical connector of claim 1 , further comprising an inner abutment surface on said flange.
3. The electrical connector of claim 2 , further comprising:
an inner notch on said inner body portion; and
said inner notch extending from said inner end of said connector to said inner abutment surface of said flange.
4. The electrical connector of claim 2 , further comprising:
a wing extending outward from said gripper jaw; and
said wing and said inner abutment surface of said flange forming an inner seat on said inner body portion of said connector body.
5. The electrical connector of claim 4 , further comprising:
an outer seat extending circumferentially around a portion of said outer body portion of said connector; and
said outer seat extending between said flange and said compressible arm.
6. The electrical connector of claim 2 , wherein said compressible arm further comprises:
a trailing edge; and
an arcuate extending edge.
7. The electrical connector of claim 2 , further comprising:
a raised portion extending outward from said distal edge of said gripper jaw;
said raised portion including a second edge extending outward from said inner end; and
said distal edge is selected from the group comprising sharpened edge and serrations.
8. An electrical connector, comprising:
a tubular connector body including a sidewall, a bore, a flange, an inner end, and an outer end;
an inner body portion extending from said flange to said inner end;
an outer body portion extending from said flange to said outer end;
two gripper jaws extending from said inner body portion into said bore;
a gap between the gripper jaws;
at least one compressible arm extending from said outer body portion;
a distal edge on said gripper jaw;
a dividing wall on said connector body, said dividing wall including opposing sides and an exterior edge,
said dividing wall dividing said bore into separate channels; and
said exterior edge of said dividing wall located between the distal edge of said gripper jaws.
9. The electrical connector of claim 8 , further comprising an inner abutment surface on said flange.
10. The electrical connector of claim 9 , further comprising an outer abutment surface on said flange.
11. The electrical connector of claim 10 , further comprising:
an outer notch on said outer body portion; and
said outer notch extending from said outer end of said connector to said outer abutment surface of said flange.
12. The electrical connector of claim 11 , further comprising:
an inner notch on said inner body portion; and
said inner notch extending from said inner end of said connector to said inner abutment surface of said flange.
13. The electrical connector of claim 9 , further comprising:
a wing extending outward from said gripper jaw; and
said wing and said inner abutment surface of said flange forming an inner seat on said inner body portion of said connector body.
14. The electrical connector of claim 9 , further comprising:
an outer seat extending circumferentially around a portion of said outer body portion of said connector; and
said outer seat extending between said flange and said compressible arm.
15. The electrical connector of claim 8 , wherein said compressible arm further comprises:
a trailing edge; and
an arcuate extending edge.
16. The electrical connector of claim 8 , further comprising:
a raised portion extending outward from said distal edge of said gripper jaw;
said raised portion including a second edge extending outward from said inner end; and
said distal edge is selected from the group comprising sharpened edge and serrations.
17. The electrical connector of claim 9 , further comprising a vertical wall on said gripper jaw.
18. An electrical connector, comprising:
a tubular connector body including a sidewall, a bore, a flange, an inner end, and an outer end;
an inner body portion extending from said flange to said inner end;
an outer body portion extending from said flange to said outer end;
at least one gripper jaw extending from said inner body portion;
at least one compressible arm extending from said outer body portion;
an edge on said gripper jaw;
an outer notch on said outer body portion;
said outer notch extending from said outer end of said connector and terminating at an outer abutment surface of said flange;
an inner notch on said inner body portion;
said inner notch extending from said inner end of said connector to an inner abutment surface of said flange; and
said outer notch is an inwardly arcuate portion of the sidewall of the connector body.