Patent Application
20140287632
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Currently, many electrical components such as light switches and electrical outlets are connected to wires using a “side-wire” method whereby each wire to be connected to the electrical component is stripped of a small section of its protective covering and the small section of exposed wire is wrapped around a threaded screw, the screw is then tightened down, causing the exposed wire to be secured between the electrical component's housing and the screw head. This connection is necessary to ensure a steady current of electricity, for example, between a power source and a light switch.
A secure and tight connection between each wire and the electrical component is critical. If the wire connection becomes loose, the electrical component will fail to operate and in some cases, an arch of electricity passing between the wire and housing may lead to an electrical fire.
To assure that the wire is secure and tight using the current side-wire technique, the wire must be looped around the threaded portion of the screw in the proper direction (i.e. clockwise). If the wire is wrapped around the wrong direction (i.e., counter-clockwise manner), the wire loop may loosen upon tightening of the screw. In time, the wire may become displaced, causing a loss of electrical connection, resulting in inconvenience and dangerous safety hazard for persons relying upon the electricity.
Multiple tools are needed to wrap the exposed wire around and tighten the screw to connect wires with the current side-wire technique. Moreover, the installation often requires the handling of wires, multiple tools, and the electrical component in a small workspace. Improperly connected wires also occur due to lack of experience or caution by the person conducting the installation. For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for an electrical component connection screw and method of installation that can be used to connect wires to an electrical component in a secure, simple to use and reliable manner.
The solution is found in the present invention which comprises a connection screw with a hole perpendicular to the rotational axis of the screw, into which a wire may pass through. When the screw is tightened with a screwdriver, the wire loops around the screw, in addition to passing through the screw, making it more difficult for the wire to loosen its connection to the screw.
The present invention is directed to a device and method for connecting wires to an electrical component in a secure, simple to use and reliable manner, with out the need for an additional tool. The device comprises an electrical component connection screw with a hole perpendicular to the rotational axis of the screw to allow a wire to be passed through the screw prior to final tightening.
The traditional side-wire technique does not prevent an installer from looping the wire around the screw incorrectly, and requires the installer to remember the proper direction, which can be problematic especially for novices. The present invention prevents incorrect installation because with the insertion of the wire through the screw, in addition to wrapping around the screw, it becomes more difficult for the wire to become loose regardless of the direction of rotation (although standard wires normally rotate in only the clockwise direction). Also, the present invention only requires a screwdriver to make the connection between the wire and screw, while the traditional screw and side-wire technique requires the use of pliers and a screwdriver to bend and wrap the wire around, and tighten, the screw. With the present invention, once the wire is passed through the hole and the screw tightened, the wire is forced to wrap around the screw in such a manner that it becomes difficult for the wire to become loose, thereby creating a secure and reliable connection between the wire and the electrical component.
As illustrated in
The screw with hole 100 functions to secure the wire 106 to the electrical component 104 by passing a wire 106, which has been stripped of its protective covering 116, into the hole 218 through the threaded screw 102 just before the screw is tightened down. To use the screw with hole and method 100, the screw 102 is advanced or tightened into the electrical component 104 so that only the hole 218 in the screw 102 is exposed, as best illustrated in
All features disclosed in this specification, including any accompanying claim, abstract, and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. §112,paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6.
Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, various modifications and substitutions may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention has been described by way of illustration and not limitation.
