In-Line Fuse Holder

Abstract

In-line fuse holders feature a quick-connect electrical connector for electrically connecting a wire to the fuse held in the holder. The quick-connect electrical connector allows for the wires to be connected without having to cut the wires or attach an electrical connector to the end of the wires.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to fuse holders, and more particularly to in-line fuse holders having quick-connect electrical connector terminals for electrically connecting wires to electrical contacts of the fuse holder. [Background technology]

[0002] Fuses are commonly used in electrical circuits to provide overload protection for the circuit and the equipment connected to the circuit. When installing electrical accessories in a vehicle, it is common to use an in-line fuse holder along the accessory's power line to provide overload protection through the fuse that the fuse holder holds.

[0003] Existing in-line fuse holders, which operate to provide protection against overloads, have several drawbacks. For example, existing in-line fuse holders typically have wires permanently attached to the electrical contacts of the fuse holder. To connect the fuse holder to an electrical circuit, electrical connectors (such as butt connectors) and associated special tools must be used to secure and connect both ends of the fuse holder's wires to the electrical circuit (usually power leads). Such splice connections are labor intensive, introduce potential failures to the electrical circuit, and create the need for the use of heat shrink tubing to reduce or prevent water ingress or inadvertent electrical contact at the splice connection. Additionally, this type of fuse holder presents problems with removal of the fuse holder because the wires are permanently attached; this requires cutting the wires, resulting in shorter wires and making the fuse holder less convenient to use and in some cases unusable.

[0004] Other existing in-line fuse holders eliminate the fixedly attached wire and use terminals to secure the circuit wire to the electrical contacts of the fuse holder. Typically, these terminals include multiple threaded posts and nuts to secure the wire to the terminal. Properly securing the wire to such a terminal requires that an appropriate electrical connector (such as a ring terminal or spade terminal) be connected to the end of the wire and engaged with the terminal on the fuse side. Again, special tools are required to attach the electrical connector to the end of the wire. Furthermore, such connections introduce time wire, potential for electrical circuit failure, and the need for the use of heat shrink tubing to reduce or prevent water ingress or inadvertent electrical contact at the connection.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need and a desire for a new type of in-line fuse holder that overcomes the above-mentioned and other shortcomings of existing in-line fuse holders. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Embodiments of the present invention provide an in-line fuse holder that overcomes the shortcomings of existing in-line fuse holders by having a quick connect electrical connector for electrically connecting wires to the electrical contacts of the fuse holder.

[0007] Quick connect electrical connectors allow electrical wires to be connected directly to the electrical contacts on the fuse holder without having to attach an electrical connector to the end of the wire. This eliminates the need for special tools, reduces complexity, speeds installation time, and eliminates potential points of failure. Additionally, quick connect electrical connectors allow wires to be removed from the fuse holder without having to cut them.

[0008] Numerous additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the presently preferred (but not too exemplary) embodiments of the present invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0009] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception underlying the present disclosure may readily be utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0010] For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages, and specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which an embodiment of the invention is illustrated. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] The following drawings are illustrative and are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention for the purpose of illustratively illustrating embodiments of the present invention. No attempt is made to show structural details of the embodiments in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the present invention, but by describing the drawings together, it will become apparent to those skilled in the art how some aspects of the present invention can be embodied in practice. The same reference numerals do not necessarily indicate the same structure. Rather, the same reference numerals may be used to indicate similar features or features having similar functions.

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an in-line fuse holder in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of an in-line fuse holder body according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cover of an in-line fuse holder in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a top view of an in-line fuse holder body according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a side view of the body and fuse of an in-line fuse holder according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of a body of an in-line fuse holder according to one embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0013] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the present invention in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments are available, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0014] 1-6 illustrate an in-line fuse holder 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fuse holder 10 includes a body 12 and a cover 14. Body 12 and cover 14 may be molded articles made of a hard insulating plastic or similar material.

[0015] Fuse holder 10 holds a fuse 16. Fuse 16 is illustrated as a typical blade fuse commonly used in the automotive field, such as, for example, ATM, ATC, ATO fuses, etc. Fuse 16 typically includes a pair of contact blades 18a and 18b extending therefrom.

[0016] In the illustrated embodiment, the body 12 has a pair of electrical contacts 20a and 20b located at and carried by the body end 22. The electrical contacts 20a and 20b are configured to removably receive the contact blades 18a and 18b in a snug, friction fit with a push-in and pull-out motion.

[0017] Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, end 24 of body 12 includes quick connect electrical connectors 26a and 26b for receiving ends of wires 28a and 28b via openings 30a and 30b. Quick connect electrical connectors 26a and 26b are electrically connected to electrical contacts 20a and 20b, respectively, and are operative to secure the ends of wires 28a and 28b to body 12 and electrically connect the wires to electrical contacts 20a and 20b, and therefore to fuse 16.

[0018] The quick connect electrical connectors 26a and 26b may be the electrical connectors (and / or terminals) described or disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,541,679 and / or the electrical connectors (and / or terminals) described or disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,238,233, the disclosures of both of which are incorporated herein in their entireties. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other quick connect electrical connectors may also be used. Thus, the present invention is not limited solely to the electrical connectors and / or terminals shown and disclosed in these two patents.

[0019] Cover 14 includes a receptacle 32 configured to removably receive end 22 of body 12 containing fuse 16 to completely enclose the fuse. A rubber seal 34, or the like, may be disposed on body 12. Seal 34 is configured to make sealing contact with cover 14 when end 22 is inserted into receptacle 32, thereby forming a hermetic enclosure that prevents water from contacting fuse 16 and electrical contacts 20a and 20b.

[0020] Body 12 may include a resilient clip 36 that securely connects the body and cover and engages a tab 38 on cover 14. Clip 36 is lifted outwardly to disengage tab 38 and allow body 12 and cover 14 to be removed.

[0021] The cover 14 may include holes (openings) 40, typically formed through tabs 42, for fastening or attaching the cover to a desired support surface using threaded fasteners.

[0022] Fuse holder 10 may include one or more LED lights 44 operably connected to one or more of electrical contacts 20a and 20b to indicate operation of the electrical circuit and the status of fuse 16. For example, an LED light may indicate whether fuse 16 is good or blown, or an LED light may indicate whether either of wires 28a and 28b is receiving power from an attached power source.

[0023] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present embodiments are not limited to what has been particularly shown and described above. In light of the above disclosure and teachings, various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

1. a body having a first end and an opposing second end; a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact disposed at the first end, each configured to receive and grip a blade of a blade fuse; a first quick connect connector and a second quick connect electrical connector disposed at the second end, each configured to receive an end of a wire and electrically connect the wire to the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact, respectively; a cover, the first end of the body having a receptacle at an end of the cover adapted to surround and removably receive a fuse connected to the first and second electrical contacts; a seal disposed on the body for making a sealed contact with the cover when the first end is received in the receptacle, the seal forming a hermetic enclosure that prevents water from contacting the fuse and the first and second electrical contacts; a mounting tab extending from the cover having a hole formed therethrough; an elastic clip disposed on the body; a tab disposed on the cover with which the resilient clip is engageable to secure the body and the cover together. In-line fuse holder.

2. a seal disposed on the body for making a sealed contact with the cover when the first end is received in the receptacle such that a sealed enclosure is formed that prevents water contact with the fuse and the first and second electrical contacts.

2. The in-line fuse holder of claim 1.

3. further comprising a mounting tab extending from said cover having a hole therethrough; 2. The in-line fuse holder of claim 1.

4. a resilient clip disposed on the body; a tab disposed on the cover that the resilient clip engages to secure the body and the cover together.

2. The in-line fuse holder of claim 1.

5. and further comprising one or more LED indicators disposed on the body and electrically connected to one or both of the first electrical contacts and the second electrical contacts, the LED indicators configured, when energized, to indicate a status of a fuse connected to the first electrical contacts and the second electrical contacts.

2. The in-line fuse holder of claim 1.

6. a body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact disposed on the first end, each configured to receive and grip a blade of a blade fuse; first and second quick connect electrical terminals disposed at the second end configured to electrically connect a wire to the first and second electrical contacts, respectively; a cover having a receptacle through a first end thereof into which the first end of the body is removably received and adapted to enclose a fuse connected to the first and second electrical contacts; a seal disposed on the body to make sealing contact with the cover when the first end is received in the receptacle such that a hermetic enclosure is formed that prevents water contact with the fuse and the first and second electrical contacts; a mounting tab extending from said cover and having a hole formed therein; Elastic clips placed on the main body, a tab disposed on the cover that is engageable by the resilient clip to secure the body and cover together; one or more LED indicators disposed on the body, electrically connected to one or both of the first electrical contacts and the second electrical contacts, and configured to energize to indicate a status of a fuse connected to the first electrical contacts and the second electrical contacts. In-line fuse holder.

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