US20090124112A1 - Transparent Insulating Enclosure - Google Patents

Abstract

An enclosure formed from a first compartment and an identical second compartment to house an electrical connector. Each compartment has a main body that is defined by a first wall, a second wall and ends. The first wall of each compartment has an outer tab with at least one projection that extends inwards and an inner tab positioned adjacent to the outer tab. The second wall of each compartment has an aperture. When the compartments are mounted to each other to form the enclosure, the projection of the first wall of the first compartment is disposed in the aperture in the second wall of the second compartment and the projection of the first wall of the second compartment is disposed in the aperture in the second wall of the first compartment. The enclosure also includes a label and label cover that are disposed inside the enclosure to identify the connector.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/673,807, filed Feb. 12, 2007, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 11/430,321, filed May 9, 2006, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,201,600 on Apr. 10, 2007, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/238,504, filed Sep. 29, 2005, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,066,760 on Jun. 27, 2006, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/819,840, filed Apr. 7, 2004, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,044,761 on May 16, 2006, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/461,907, filed Apr. 10, 2003.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates to insulating enclosures and, more particularly, to a transparent insulating enclosure and associated label cover for electrical tap or splice connectors.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• Prior tap or splice covers which protect and insulate the tap or splice are black or colored and, thus, opaque so the connection cannot be seen when closed. If a problem with a connection is suspected, the cover must be removed for inspection purposes. Damage to the connection is possible during the removal process. This type of inspection can be very time consuming particularly if there are a lot of connectors in a particular circuit. Also, when the covers are removed, it can be dangerous to perform these inspections with the circuit in the energized state.
• It is thus an advantage to allow for post installation inspection of the tap or splice. The cover of the present invention also provides for improved labeling and identification protection for the tap or splice connection.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention is directed to a transparent enclosure for an electrical connector. The enclosure includes a first compartment and an identical second compartment. Each compartment has a main body defined by a first wall, a second wall, and ends. The first wall of each compartment has an outer tab with at least one projection extending inwards and an inner tab positioned adjacent to the outer tab. The second wall of each compartment has an aperture there through. When one of the compartments is mounted to the other compartment, the projection of each first wall is disposed in the aperture in each second wall so as to secure the compartments to each other to form the enclosure. The electrical connector is positioned between the first compartment and the second compartment so that when the compartments are secured to each other, the electrical connector is secured between the compartments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the transparent insulating enclosure of the present invention with an electrical connector disposed therein;
• FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the transparent insulating enclosure ofFIG. 1;
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the transparent insulating enclosure ofFIG. 1 with a pair of ribs that extend across the main body; and
• FIG. 4 is a side view of the transparent insulating enclosure ofFIG. 3 with an electrical connector disposed therein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• The design shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 discloses a transparentinsulating enclosure10 forelectrical connectors90 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• Theenclosure10 consists of two separate identical halves orcompartments12aand12b. Each half orcompartment12a,12bhas amain body14a,14bthat is defined by afirst wall16a,16b, asecond wall18a,18band ends20a,20b. Thefirst wall16a,16band thesecond wall18a,18bof eachenclosure half12a,12bsnap together by means of a new latching system to form the insulating enclosure.
• Thefirst walls16a,16bof the latching system include a mainouter tab22a,22bwith twoprojections24a,24band twoinner tabs28a,28bthat support and secure thesecond wall18a,18bof the other enclosure half from the inside of the enclosure. The twoinner tabs28a,28bhaveside30a,30band end32a,32blead-in chamfers that facilitate the mutual locating of both enclosure halves for assembly. The outermain tab22a,22balso includesextended ends26a,26bthat serve as flashover barriers for the enclosure.
• Upon pressing theenclosure halves12a,12btogether, thesecond walls18a,18bbecome trapped between theinner tabs28a,28band theouter tabs22a,22bof thefirst walls16a,16b. Thesecond wall18a,18bof each enclosure half has anaperture34a,34bextending from approximately mid-height of the wall to thetop36a,36bof the wall. As the enclosure halves are pressed together, theprojections24a,24bon the inside of the mainouter tabs22a,22bsnap into theapertures34a,34bin thesecond walls18a,18bof the opposite enclosure half, and lock the enclosure in a closed position.
• If necessary, the enclosure may be opened by inserting a flat tip screwdriver, or similar tool, between theprojections24a,24blocated on the inside of outermain tabs22a,22bto pry the enclosure halves away from each other.
• Each enclosure half hasinner flanges40a,40bthat extend across the enclosure half. Theinner flanges40a,40bserve as stops for the electrical connector to prevent the connector from being pulled out of the insulating enclosure. Theflanges40a,40bhave C-shaped middle portions42a,42bthat accommodate the electrical cables that are crimped in the connector.
• Ridges44a,44bare positioned on eachmain body14a,14bat the outer side of theflanges40a,40bso as to form apocket48a,48bthere between. Thepocket48a,48baccommodates a label ortag50 andlabel cover52. It is important to place the label inside the enclosure to prevent any tampering with the information on the label after the connection has been completed and the enclosure has been snapped together on a connector. An additional benefit from the internal placement of the label is that the label cover and the label can not be accidentally knocked off or stripped off and lost.
• Thelabel cover52 includesindentations54 located on both sides of the label cover. Theindentations54 engage the walls of the enclosure thereby allowing thelabel cover52 to be inserted with either side facing out.
• Each side of thelabel cover52 has a matted finish which allows thelabel cover52 to be used as a backup for a separate label. If there is not a label, the information may be written directly on the label cover matted surface.
• To facilitate removal of thelabel50, anopening46a,46bis provided between eachridge44a,44bfor insertion of a pry tool.
• Theends20a,20bof the insulating enclosure include multiplenarrow fingers60a,60bthat extend outward from each enclosuremain body14a,14bat a narrow angle with respect to the split plane of the enclosure. Such angle minimizes catch points, to allow other cable runs to be pulled next to the enclosure. Thefingers60a,60bare parallel to one another with only a slight narrowing toward theirtips62a,62b. The underside of the tips of the fingers have a smallflatten portion64a,64bwhich prevents the tips from “pinching” or “digging” into the electrical cable insulation. Theouter edges66a,66bof the fingers are rounded to prevent injury to the installer's hands. The fingers are sufficiently flexible and resilient to conform closely to the cables and to prevent foreign objects, such as the installer's fingers or tools, from penetrating the enclosure and contacting the connector placed inside. The amount of flexing depends on the size of the cables used in a particular connection. Thus, the insulating enclosure is designed to be used with a wide range of cable sizes.
• The fingers that are pushed apart by the inserted cables flex away, while the remaining fingers, that are not in contact with the cables, stay close together and prevent an accidental insertion of a tool or the installer's finger into the connection that may be energized.
• Being fairly strong and resilient, the fingers provide a good hold of the connected cables and prevent the insulating enclosure from producing a rattling sound, if subjected to slight movements.
• The enclosure remains secured around an electrical connector by its own features and strength. However, if desired, cable ties or waxed cords may be used for added security.
• Eachhalf12a,12bof the insulating enclosure hasexternal locating slots70a,70b. When the enclosure halves12a,12bare secured to each other, the locating slots are aligned so as to create continuous slots around the enclosure. The aligned locating slots are designed to receive acable tie76 or waxed cord that wraps around the enclosure. The enclosure also includes recesses72a,72blocated adjacent to theslots70a,70bto accommodate the cable tie heads78 andlips74a,74blocated on the side of theslot70a,70band the top of the enclosure halves. Thelips74a,74bhelp to maintain the cable tie in the locating slots around the enclosure.
• The transparent enclosure allows the inspection of both the quality of the connector crimping and all markings on the connector without opening the insulating enclosure.
• Additionally, the insulating enclosure may have certain identification information molded on the fingers so that it does not obstruct the view of the connector inside the enclosure.
• FIGS. 3 and 4 describe an alternative embodiment of the transparent insulating enclosure for electrical connectors. In addition to the features described above, the alternative embodiment incorporates a pair of retainingflanges80a,80bin each half of the enclosure. The pair of retainingflanges80a,80bare placed in the middle of the enclosure length. The retainingflanges80a,80bfunction as a retainer for connectors that do not project beyond the outer surface of the cable insulation. Without the retainingflanges80a,80b, a tap style connector would be retained only by friction between the enclosure and the cable insulation. This type of retention is not positive. Thecenter retaining flanges80a,80bpenetrate into slots formed in certain styles of tap connectors to positively retain the connector inside the enclosure.
• Furthermore, while the particular preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the teaching of the invention. The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as limitation. The actual scope of the invention is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.

Claims (7)

1. An enclosure for an electrical connector, the enclosure comprising:

a first compartment having at least one locating slot for receiving a cable tie and at least one recess for receiving a cable tie head; and

a second compartment adapted to be mounted to the first compartment, wherein the second compartment having at least one locating slot for receiving a cable tie and at least one recess for receiving a cable tie head;

wherein the second compartment is mounted to the first compartment such that the locating slots are aligned for enabling the cable tie to wrap around the enclosure to secure the electrical connector therein.

2. The enclosure ofclaim 1, wherein the first compartment and the second compartment further comprising a plurality of fingers disposed at an angle for holding cables connected to the electrical connector in the enclosure.

3. The enclosure ofclaim 1, wherein the first compartment and the second compartment are transparent.

4. The enclosure ofclaim 1, wherein the first compartment and the second compartment further comprising a pocket for receiving a label to identify the electrical connector.

5. The enclosure ofclaim 1, wherein the first compartment and the second compartment further comprising a flange extending across the compartment and at least one ridge positioned near the flange, wherein the flange and ridge define a pocket for accommodating a label.

6. An enclosure for an electrical connector, the enclosure comprising:

a first compartment having a plurality of fingers;

a second compartment having a plurality of fingers; wherein the first compartment and the second compartment are mounted to each other to form the enclosure;

the fingers are disposed at an angle for holding cables connected to the electrical connector in the enclosure; and

at least one of the first and second compartments further including a pocket for receiving a label to identify the electrical connector.

7. An enclosure for an electrical connector, the enclosure comprising:

a first compartment having at least one flange extending across the first compartment and at least one ridge positioned near the flange, wherein the flange and the ridge define a pocket for accommodating a label;

a second compartment adapted to be mounted to the first compartment, wherein the second compartment having at least one flange extending across the second compartment and at least one ridge positioned near the flange, wherein the flange and the ridge define a pocket for accommodating a label;

wherein when the second compartment is mounted to the first compartment, the flanges of said first and second compartments are aligned to secure the electrical connector therebetween.

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