US 11,855,367 B2
Multi-use connector for tracer wire
John Kenneth Carrozzo, Jr., Torrington, CT (US); Michael Constatin von Kannewurff, Middlebury, CT (US); and Stephen Andrew Skolozdra, Terryville, CT (US)
Assigned to Hubbell Incorporated, Shelton, CT (US)
Filed by Hubbell Incorporated, Shelton, CT (US)
Filed on Feb. 25, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/681,340.
Application 17/681,340 is a continuation of application No. 16/816,069, filed on Mar. 11, 2020, granted, now 11,264,739.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/817,097, filed on Mar. 12, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0181804 A1, Jun. 9, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. H01R 11/20 (2006.01); H01R 4/24 (2018.01); H01R 4/70 (2006.01); H01R 43/20 (2006.01); H01R 13/52 (2006.01)
CPC H01R 11/20 (2013.01) [H01R 4/24 (2013.01); H01R 4/70 (2013.01); H01R 13/5216 (2013.01); H01R 43/20 (2013.01)] 22 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A connector for electrically interconnecting multiple tracer wires, the connector comprising:
a connector base having a first cradle and a second cradle; and
a cover attachable to the base, the cover having an internal cavity, a plurality of portals on a first side of the cover providing access to the internal cavity and at least one portal on a second side of the cover providing access to the internal cavity, the second side being opposite the first side;
wherein when the cover is attached to the base in a first position a first of the plurality of portals on the first side of the cover aligns with the first cradle and the at least one portal on the second side of the cover aligns with the first cradle, and a second of the plurality of portals on the first side of the cover aligns with the second cradle;
wherein when the cover is attached to the base in a second position, the first of the plurality of portals on the first side of the cover aligns with the second cradle and the at least one portal on a second side of the cover aligns with the second cradle, and the second of the plurality of portals on the first side of the cover aligns with the first cradle; and
at least two insulation piercing members positioned within the internal cavity of the cover, the at least two insulation piercing members being electrically conductive and electrically coupled, wherein a first of the at least two insulation piercing members being aligned with the first cradle when the cover is attached to the base, and wherein a second of the at least two insulation piercing members being aligned with the second cradle when the cover is attached to the base.