Electrical terminal and assembly

Abstract

The electrical terminal includes a body having a first opening for receiving an electrical conductor and a second opening for coupling the electrical terminal to a conductive member. The second opening has a first opening portion having an interior size for receiving the first fastener and a second opening portion having a different interior size than the first opening portion. The second open portion is configured to receive a second fastener having a different outer dimension than the first fastener. The second opening portion may have substantially circular first and second opening portions overlapping along an outer edge. The electrical assembly includes an electrical terminal and a conductive base, and a first fastener having a first size or a second fastener having a second size, where the size of the fastener corresponds to the size of a threaded hole in the base.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 389,675, filed on July 15, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to an electrical terminal for providing an electrical connection to a conductive member. The present invention also relates to an electrical assembly for providing an electrical connection between an electrical conductor and a conductive member or for providing a ground connection to a ground base. Background Art

[0003] Electrical connectors and terminals are used to connect electrical conductors such as wires to an electrically conductive base or support. Electrical terminals are typically attached to a base or support to provide an electrical connection between the terminal and the base or support. Terminals include a coupling device for connecting a wire or conductor to the terminal to form an electrical connection between the wire and the base or support.

[0004] Electrical terminals are generally configured to be coupled to a base having a predetermined shape and size. Electrical terminals are generally not interchangeable with screws or fasteners of different sizes.

[0005] While existing devices have been suitable for their intended uses, there remains a need in the industry for improved mechanisms for providing electrical connections to conductive members. Summary of the invention

[0006] The apparatus described herein relates to an electrical terminal or electrical connector for providing an electrical connection between a conductor or electrical conductor and a conductive base, support or other structure. The base or support may be an electrical device or a component of an electrical device. The electrical terminal may also be used to connect a ground wire to a suitable electrical grounding structure.

[0007] The electrical terminals are configured to provide an electrical connection to carry current or provide a ground connection between components. The electrical terminals are configured to attach to a base or support and receive an electrical conductor, such as a wire or cable for electrically connecting the electrical conductor to the base or support.

[0008] The electrical terminal in one embodiment has a body configured to receive an electrical connector such as an electrical wire. Suitable fasteners may be provided to couple the electrical connector to the body. The body includes a screw hole for connecting the body to a base or support. The screw hole is configured to receive screws of different sizes or diameters to accommodate threaded screw holes in the base or support.

[0009] The screw opening for connecting the electrical terminal to a base or support is capable of receiving screws or other fasteners of different sizes while achieving a secure connection between the screw and the base. The electrical terminal may have a single screw opening or more than one screw opening, wherein each screw opening is configured to receive at least two screws or fasteners of different diameters. One or more openings may have a first opening portion and a second opening portion, wherein each opening portion has different internal dimensions to accommodate fasteners of different diameters. The first opening portion and the second opening portion may be oriented to form an opening gap between the first opening portion and the second opening portion. The electrical terminal is a universal device for accommodating screws of different sizes and different diameters corresponding to a predetermined size screw hole in a base or other support.

[0010] In one embodiment, the perimeters of the first opening portion and the second opening portion of the opening overlap each other so that the first opening portion communicates with and opens to the second opening portion. The inner surfaces of the first opening portion and the second opening portion have a substantially circular shape.

[0011] The screw opening for receiving a screw or other fastener may have at least one protrusion extending inwardly from the inner edge of the opening to separate the first opening portion from the second opening portion. In one embodiment, two opposing protrusions may be provided that extend inwardly to define a gap between the protrusions and between the first opening portion and the second opening portion. The gap generally has a size that is smaller than the inner dimension of the first opening portion and smaller than the inner dimension of the second opening portion.

[0012] The features of the electrical terminal are substantially achieved by providing a body having a first opening configured to receive an electrical conductor and a second opening configured to receive a fastener for coupling the electrical terminal to a conductive member. The second opening has a first opening portion and a second opening portion, the first opening portion having an inner dimension for receiving a first fastener having a first diameter, the second opening portion having an inner dimension different from the inner dimension of the first opening portion. The second opening portion is configured to receive a second fastener having a second diameter different from the first diameter of the first fastener.

[0013] The features of the electrical terminal are also achieved by providing a body having a connector configured to be coupled to an electrical conductor. The body has a first opening portion configured to receive a first fastener for connecting the body to a conductive member and a second opening portion configured to receive a second fastener. The second opening portion has an inner dimension that is larger than the inner dimension of the first opening portion. The second fastener has an outer diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the first fastener.

[0014] Features of the present invention are also achieved by providing an electrical assembly including a conductive member and an electrical terminal. The electrical terminal includes a body having a hole, the hole having a first opening portion and a second opening portion, the first opening portion having a first inner dimension for receiving a first threaded fastener having a first outer diameter, the second opening portion having a second inner dimension larger than the first inner dimension for receiving a second threaded fastener, the second threaded fastener having a second outer diameter larger than the first outer diameter of the first threaded fastener. The electrical terminal is coupled to the conductive member by one of the first threaded fastener or the second threaded fastener, the first threaded fastener extending through the first opening portion and being received in a threaded hole having a first dimension complementary to the first threaded fastener, and the second threaded fastener extending through the second opening portion and being received in a threaded hole having a dimension complementary to the second threaded fastener.

[0015] These and other features of the device will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses various embodiments of the device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Various aspects and advantages of embodiments of the device will be more readily understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0017] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an electrical terminal in one embodiment;

[0018] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A side view of an electrical terminal;

[0019] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Top view of the electrical terminals;

[0020] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Rear view of the electrical terminals;

[0021] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 Bottom perspective view of the electrical terminals. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present apparatus illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.The embodiments described herein are exemplified but not limited to the present apparatus by reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and the arrangement of the parts set forth in the following description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments herein can be practiced or executed in various ways. In addition, it should be understood that the words and terms used herein are used for descriptive purposes and should not be considered restrictive. The use of "including", "comprising" or "having" and its variants herein is intended to cover the items listed thereafter and their equivalents and additional items. Unless otherwise limited, the terms "connect", "couple" and "install" and their variants herein are used in a broad sense, covering direct and indirect connections, couplings and installations. In addition, the terms "connect" and "couple" and their variants are not limited to physical or mechanical connections or couplings. In addition, terms such as upper, lower, bottom and top are relative and are used to help illustrate, but are not restrictive. Any embodiments and / or elements and features disclosed herein can be combined with each other to form various additional embodiments that are not specifically disclosed, as long as they are not contradictory or inconsistent with each other. Those skilled in the art understand that terms of degree such as "substantially", "approximately" and "approximately" refer to a reasonable range around a given value and include the given value as well as the range outside the given value, for example, the general tolerances associated with the manufacture, assembly and use of the embodiments. When referring to a structure or feature, the term "substantially" includes most or all of the features present.

[0024] The present invention relates to an electrical terminal and an electrical terminal assembly including the electrical terminal. The electrical terminal usually has a single screw hole with a predetermined inner diameter to accommodate a fastener of a specific size, such as a screw. The base or other supporting structure that receives the electrical terminal usually has a screw hole of a specific size for the fastener to attach the electrical terminal to the base. Depending on the electrical device connected, the base or supporting structure can have screw holes of different sizes. The electrical terminal of the present invention can accommodate screws of different sizes and diameters to accommodate screw holes of different sizes and diameters in the base or supporting structure.

[0025] Figure 1 1 is a perspective view of an electrical assembly including an electrical terminal 10 in one embodiment. The electrical assembly in the illustrated embodiment includes the electrical terminal 10, an electrical conductor 12, a coupling screw 14 for coupling the electrical connector 12 to the electrical terminal 10, and a coupling screw 16 and a base 18. The coupling screw 16 is provided for coupling the electrical terminal 10 to the base 18.

[0026] Base 18 is a conductive member for supporting electrical terminal 10. Base 18 can be a support for electrical terminal 10. As described herein, base 18 refers to a suitable surface that can receive and support electrical terminal 10. Base can be a component or part of an electrical device or structure. Base is typically a conductive metal component or part. In other embodiments, base refers to a conductive surface of a structure.

[0027] The electrical terminal 10 in the illustrated embodiment has a body 20 formed as a one-piece single member. The body 20 is made of a metal such as steel, copper, aluminum or other conductive materials. In alternative embodiments, the body can be made of a plurality of parts assembled to form the body. Depending on the intended use, the body 20 can have a variety of suitable shapes and configurations. In the illustrated embodiment, the body 20 has a bottom surface 22 that is configured to contact the surface of the base 18 and is used to form an electrical connection between the electrical terminal 10 and the base 18. The bottom surface 22 of the body 20 in the illustrated embodiment is substantially flat. In other embodiments, the bottom surface 22 can be shaped to conform to the surface of the base 18. The bottom surface 22 can have a textured surface to facilitate electrical connection between the body 20 and the base 18. The textured surface can be formed to be composed of a plurality of teeth, grooves, ridges, knurled surfaces, etc.

[0028] The body 20 in the illustrated embodiment has a shape including a top surface 24, a first end surface 26, and a second end surface 28. In the illustrated embodiment, the body 20 may have a substantially square shape, but it is understood that the body may have other suitable shapes. Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , the main body 20 includes a leg portion 30 extending from the main body 20 and forming a bottom surface 22 with the main body 20 .

[0029] The body 20 includes an opening 32 that forms a through passage extending through the body 20 between the first end face 26 and the second end face 28. The opening 32 is sized to receive the electrical conductor 12. The body 20 is formed with a connector for connecting with the electrical conductor and securing the electrical conductor to the electrical terminal 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the top surface 24 of the body 20 has a threaded hole 34 for receiving a threaded screw 14 to form a connector for the electrical terminal 10. The threaded screw 14 is received in the threaded hole 34 to contact the electrical conductor 12 received in the opening 32 and secure or clamp the electrical conductor 12 to the electrical terminal 10. In other embodiments, the threaded screw 14 may be replaced by other fastening mechanisms capable of securing and / or clamping the electrical conductor 12 to the electrical terminal 10. Depending on the intended use of the electrical terminal 10, the opening 32 and the threaded hole 34 may be provided in different locations and orientations.

[0030] The leg portion 30 as shown in the figures has a substantially flat configuration with a thickness less than the height of the body 20 to simplify the attachment of the electrical terminal 10 to the base 18. The thickness of the leg portion 30 provides sufficient strength to the leg portion and enables the electrical terminal 10 to be attached to the base 18 by suitable fasteners, such as screws.

[0031] The leg 30 as shown in the figures has an opening 42 extending through the leg between the top surface 38 and the bottom surface 40 and having a size for receiving a fastener for coupling the electrical terminal 10 to the base 10. The opening 42 in the illustrated embodiment has an internal size to accommodate fasteners of different sizes for coupling the electrical terminal 10 to the base. In the illustrated embodiment, the opening 42 includes an internal formation having different sizes to accommodate fasteners of different sizes.

[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, the opening 32 has a circular configuration to receive the conductor 12. The inner diameter of the opening 32 is generally slightly larger than the outer diameter of the conductor 12 so that the conductor can be easily fitted into the opening. Figure 4 , the lower portion of the opening 32 extends below the top surface of the leg 30 to form an end wall or stepped portion 33. The stepped portion 33 forms a stop to contact the end of the conductor and prevent the end of the conductor from extending through the opening 32, where the conductor would interfere with a fastener received in the opening 42. The screw 14 has a length that extends into the opening 32 a distance to engage and clamp the conductor.

[0033] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown in the figure, the opening 42 has a first opening portion 44 and a second opening portion 46, the first opening portion 44 having a first inner size and inner diameter, and the second opening portion 46 having a second inner size and inner diameter. The opening portions 44 and 46 shown have a substantially circular shape to accommodate fasteners of different sizes and diameters, such as screws or other threaded fasteners. In the illustrated embodiment, the first opening portion 44 and the second opening portion 46 are oriented to overlap slightly to maintain the substantially circular inner shape and inner diameter of the respective opening portions 44 and 46. The overlap of the opening portion 44 and the opening portion 46 forms a generally keyhole-shaped opening. In other embodiments, the first opening portion and the second opening portion can be separate, spaced apart holes for receiving screws or fasteners of different diameters.

[0034] The overlap of the opening portion 44 and the opening portion 46 forms a first protrusion 48 that protrudes from a first side of the opening 42 and extends inwardly toward the interior space of the opening 42. A second protrusion 50 protrudes inwardly from the second side of the opening 42. As shown, the protrusions 48 and 50 extend toward each other from opposite sides to form a gap 52 between the ends of the protrusions 48 and 50. The first opening portion 44 has an inner dimension and inner diameter that substantially corresponds to the outer dimension and diameter of the first fastener, which corresponds to the dimension and diameter of the threaded hole in the base 18. The second opening portion 46 has an inner dimension and inner diameter that corresponds to the outer dimension and diameter of the second fastener, which corresponds to the different inner dimension of the threaded hole in the base 18. The gap 52 generally has a spacing that is smaller than the outer dimension of the first fastener and the second fastener to prevent the fasteners from sliding between the first opening portion and the second opening portion. As shown, the gap 52 has a width that is smaller than the inner dimension of the first opening portion and smaller than the inner dimension of the second opening portion.

[0035] The base 18 is a conductive member for receiving and supporting the electrical terminal 10. The base 18 shown has a hole to accommodate a fastener for coupling the electrical terminal 10 to the base. In the illustrated embodiment, the base 18 has a threaded hole 54 having a predetermined inner size and diameter for receiving a threaded fastener of a predetermined size and diameter, shown as a screw 16. The inner size and diameter of the threaded hole 54 can be determined as needed and for the intended use of the device. The outer size and diameter of the threaded fastener generally corresponds to the inner size of the first opening portion 44 or the inner size of the second opening portion 46, depending on the outer diameter of the threaded fastener 16. In this way, the electrical terminal 10 can be coupled to the base 18 by threaded fasteners of different sizes depending on the inner size and diameter of the threaded hole 54.

[0036] The described electrical terminal 10 is capable of being attached to different bases 18 having threaded holes 54 of different internal sizes. The first opening portion 44 of the opening 42 is capable of receiving a threaded fastener having a first size and diameter, while the second opening portion 46 is capable of receiving a threaded fastener having a second size and diameter. The configuration of the opening 42 allows the electrical terminal 10 to receive fasteners of different sizes and diameters and avoids the need to create different electrical terminals having screw holes of different sizes and diameters in the corresponding bases.

[0037] The electrical terminal 10 can be used in a method for coupling an electrical terminal to a base. The electrical terminal 10 is as described above. The base 18 can have a threaded hole 54 of a predetermined size and diameter. The user selects a threaded fastener 56 according to the internal size of the threaded hole 54. Preferably, the threaded fastener 16 has a size that is complementary to the internal size of the first opening portion 44 or the second opening portion 46. The selected threaded fastener 16 is inserted through the first opening portion or the second opening portion of the opening 42 according to the size of the threaded fastener 56 and the diameter of the threaded hole 54 in the base 18. The threaded fastener can then be screwed into the hole to attach the electrical terminal to the base.

[0038] Although only a few embodiments of the present device are shown and described, the present device is not limited to the described embodiments. On the contrary, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the described device. Different embodiments may be combined with other embodiments as long as they are not inconsistent with each other. It is particularly noted that those skilled in the art may easily combine various technical aspects of the various elements of the various exemplary embodiments described above in numerous other ways, all of which are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure and its equivalents.

Claims

1. An electrical terminal, comprising: a body having a first opening configured to receive an electrical conductor and a second opening configured to receive a fastener for coupling the electrical terminal to a conductive member, The second opening has a first opening portion and a second opening portion, the first opening portion having an inner dimension for receiving a first fastener having a first diameter, the second opening portion having an inner dimension different from the inner dimension of the first opening portion, and the second opening portion is configured to receive a second fastener having a second diameter different from the first diameter of the first fastener.

2. The electrical terminal according to claim 1, wherein the body has a threaded hole and a threaded screw received in the threaded hole, the threaded hole extending through the body and intersecting the first opening, the threaded screw being used to fix the electrical conductor in the first opening and form an electrical connection.

3. The electrical terminal according to claim 2, wherein the body has a top surface, wherein the threaded hole is formed in the top surface, the body has a leg, the leg has a top surface spaced apart from the top surface of the body, wherein the first opening opens to the top surface of the leg, the first opening has a bottom surface spaced apart from the top surface of the leg to form a shoulder between the first opening and the top surface of the leg.

4. The electrical terminal of claim 1, wherein the second opening in the body has an inwardly extending projection between the first opening portion and the second opening portion.

5. The electrical terminal according to claim 1, wherein the second opening portion has a first side and a second side, the first side having a first protrusion extending inwardly and located between the first opening portion and the second opening portion, and the second side having a second protrusion extending inwardly and located between the first opening portion and the second opening portion.

6. The electrical terminal of claim 5, wherein the first projection and the second projection are spaced apart to define a gap having a width less than an inner dimension of the first opening portion and less than an inner dimension of the second opening portion.

7. The electrical terminal according to claim 6, wherein the first opening portion has a substantially circular shape and the second opening portion has a substantially circular shape.

8. The electrical terminal of claim 1, wherein said body has a top surface, a bottom surface, and an end surface, wherein said first opening extends through said end surface, and wherein said second opening extends between said top surface and said bottom surface.

9. An electrical terminal, comprising: a body configured for coupling to an electrical conductor, The body has a leg with a top surface and a bottom surface, the opening has a first opening portion and a second opening portion, the first opening portion extending between the top surface and the bottom surface and configured to receive a first fastener for connecting the body to a conductive member, the second opening portion extending between the top surface and the bottom surface and configured to receive a second fastener, wherein the second opening portion has an inner dimension larger than the inner dimension of the first opening portion, and wherein the second fastener has an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the first fastener.

10. The electrical terminal according to claim 9, wherein the body includes a first opening and a threaded screw hole and a threaded screw received in the threaded screw hole, the first opening having an inner size for receiving the electrical conductor, the threaded screw hole extending through the body to the first opening, and the threaded screw being used to fix the electrical conductor in the first opening and form an electrical connection.

11. The electrical terminal according to claim 10, wherein the top surface of the leg is spaced apart from the top surface of the body, wherein the first opening is open to the top surface of the leg, and the first opening has a bottom surface spaced apart from the top surface of the leg toward the bottom surface of the body to form a shoulder between the first opening and the top surface of the leg.

12. The electrical terminal according to claim 9, wherein the second opening portion has a first side and a second side, the first side having a first protrusion extending inwardly and located between the first opening portion and the second opening portion, and the second side having a second protrusion extending inwardly and located between the first opening portion and the second opening portion.

13. The electrical terminal device according to claim 12, wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion are spaced apart to define a gap having a width smaller than an inner dimension of the first opening portion and smaller than an inner dimension of the second opening portion.

14. The electrical terminal of claim 13, wherein the first opening portion has a substantially circular shape and the second opening portion has a substantially circular shape.

15. The electrical terminal device of claim 9, wherein said body has a top surface, a bottom surface, and an end surface, wherein said first opening extends through said end surface, and wherein said second opening extends between said top surface and said bottom surface.

16. An electrical component comprising: Conductive member; An electrical terminal having a body with a hole, the hole having a first opening portion and a second opening portion, the first opening portion having a first inner dimension for receiving a first threaded fastener having a first outer diameter, the second opening portion having a second inner dimension larger than the first inner dimension for receiving a second threaded fastener, the second threaded fastener having a second outer diameter larger than the first outer diameter, The electrical terminal is coupled to the conductive member by one of the first threaded fastener extending through the first opening portion and received in a threaded hole having a first size complementary to the first threaded fastener or the second threaded fastener extending through the second opening portion and received in a threaded hole having a size complementary to the second threaded fastener.

17. An electrical component according to claim 16, wherein the body has an opening for receiving an electrical conductor, wherein the body has a threaded hole and a threaded screw received in the threaded hole, the threaded hole extends through the body and intersects with the opening, and the threaded screw is used to fix the electrical conductor in the opening and form an electrical connection.

18. An electrical component according to claim 16, wherein the second opening portion has a first side and a second side, the first side having a first protrusion extending inwardly and located between the first opening portion and the second opening portion, and the second side having a second protrusion extending inwardly and located between the first opening portion and the second opening portion.

19. The electrical assembly of claim 18, wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion are spaced apart to define a gap having a width less than an inner dimension of the first opening portion and less than an inner dimension of the second opening portion.

20. The electrical assembly of claim 19, wherein the first opening portion has a substantially circular shape and the second opening portion has a substantially circular shape.

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