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CA-3111762-C - PIN AND SLEEVE DEVICE WITH FEATURES TO FACILITATE EASIER ASSEMBLY

CA3111762CCA 3111762 CCA3111762 CCA 3111762CCA-3111762-C

Abstract

An electrical pin and sleeve device is disclosed. The pin and sleeve device incorporating one or more features to facilitate easier assembly. For example, the pin and sleeve device may include an interrupted thread or a multi-start thread for coupling a first or main housing portion to a second or front housing portion of the device. In this manner, the outer housing can be assembled together with minimal number of turns to facilitate easier and faster assembly. Additionally, and/or alternatively, the front housing portion and the main housing portion may include a key such as, for example, a releasable lock (e.g., a spring plunger assembly) for indexing / indicating the proper rotational position of the front housing relative to the main housing to limit or prevent over-rotation. Additionally, and/or alternatively, a hollow O-ring may be positioned between the first and second housing portions.

Inventors

  • Darius Bobelis
  • Amit Pai
  • Gaurav Surana
  • Robert Cannetti

Assignees

  • LEVITON MANUFACTURING CO., INC.

Dates

Publication Date
20260505
Application Date
20181008

Claims (11)

  1. CLAIMS What is claimed is: 1. An electrical pin and sleeve device comprising: an outer housing including a first housing portion and a second housing portion; a contact carrier at least partially positioned within the outer housing, the contact carrier including a plurality of holes; a body member at least partially positioned within the outer housing and coupled to the contact carrier; and a plurality of electrical contacts, each of the plurality of contacts being positioned at least partially within a respective one of the plurality of holes in the contact carrier; wherein the first and the second housing portions each include a coupling end having an interrupted thread formed thereon, each interrupted thread including a threaded segment and a threadless section; and wherein one of the first and second housing portions include a spring-loaded pin extending from a first surface thereof and the other one of the first and second housing portions includes a recess arranged and configured to receive a portion of the spring plunger assembly to secure a position of the second housing portion relative to the first housing portion.
  2. 2. The pin and sleeve device of claim 1, wherein: the interrupted thread formed on the coupling end of the first housing portion includes a plurality of threaded segments circumferentially spaced about a circumference thereof, the plurality of threaded segments being circumferentially spaced apart by the threadless sections formed on the coupling end of the first housing portion; the interrupted thread formed on the coupling end of the second housing portion includes a plurality of threaded segments circumferentially spaced about a Date Re1rue/Date Received 2023-10-05 circumference thereof, the plurality of threaded segments being circumferentially spaced apart by the threadless sections formed on the coupling end of the second housing portion; the threaded segments formed on the coupling end of the first housing portion being arranged and configured to be axially received within the threadless sections formed on the coupling end of the second housing portion; the threaded segments formed on the coupling end of the second housing portion being arranged and configured to be axially received within the threadless sections formed on coupling end of the first housing portion; and the second housing portion being coupled to the first housing portion via partial rotation of the second housing portion relative to the first housing portion after axially inserting the coupling end of the second housing portion and the coupling end of the first housing portion, one within the other.
  3. 3. The pin and sleeve device of claim 1, wherein the interrupted thread formed on the coupling end of the first housing portion and the coupling end of the second housing portion each include four threaded segments and four threadless sections circumferentially spaced thereabout.
  4. 4. The pin and sleeve device of claim 1, wherein the pin is releasable to selectively release the second housing portion relative to the first housing portion.
  5. 5. The pin and sleeve device of claim 1, further comprising a hollow O-ring, the hollow O-ring being positioned between the first and second housing portions.
  6. 6. An electrical pin and sleeve device comprising: an outer housing including a first housing portion and a second housing portion; a contact carrier at least partially positioned within the outer housing, the contact carrier including a plurality of holes; 21 Date Re1rue/Date Received 2023-10-05 a body member at least partially positioned within the outer housing and coupled to the contact carrier; and a plurality of electrical contacts, each of the plurality of contacts being positioned within a respective one of the plurality of holes in the contact carrier; wherein one of the first and the second housing portions include a spring-loaded pin extending from a first surface thereof and the other one of the first and second housing portions includes a recess arranged and configured to receive a portion of the spring-loaded pin to secure a position of the second housing portion relative to the first housing portion; and wherein the spring-loaded pin is releasable to release the second housing portion relative to the first housing portion.
  7. 7. The pin and sleeve device of claim 6, wherein the first and second housing portions each include an interrupted thread including a threaded segment and a threadless section.
  8. 8. The pin and sleeve device of claim 7, wherein: the interrupted thread formed on the first housing portion includes a plurality of threaded segments circumferentially spaced apart about a circumference thereof, the plurality of threaded segments being circumferentially spaced apart by the threadless sections formed on the first housing portion; the interrupted thread formed on the second housing portion includes a plurality of threaded segments circumferentially spaced apart about a circumference thereof, the plurality of threaded segments being circumferentially spaced apart by the threadless sections formed on the second housing portion; the threaded segments formed on the first housing portion being arranged and configured to be axially received within the threadless sections formed on the second housing portion; 22 Date Re1rue/Date Received 2023-10-05 the threaded segments formed on the second housing portion being arranged and configured to be axially received within the threadless sections formed on the first housing portion; and the second housing portion being coupled to the first housing portion via partial rotation of the second housing portion relative to the first housing portion after axially inserting the coupling end of the second housing portion and the coupling end of the first housing portion, one within the other.
  9. 9. The pin and sleeve device of claim 8, wherein the interrupted thread formed on the first housing portion and the second housing portion each include four threaded segments and four threadless sections circumferentially spaced thereabout.
  10. 10. The pin and sleeve device of claim 6, further comprising a hollow O-ring, the hollow O-ring being positioned between the first and second housing portions.
  11. 11. An electrical pin and sleeve device comprising: an outer housing including a first housing portion and a second housing portion; a contact carrier at least partially positioned within the outer housing, the contact carrier including a plurality of holes; a body member at least partially positioned within the outer housing and coupled to the contact carrier; and a plurality of electrical contacts, each of the plurality of contacts being positioned at least partially within a respective one of the plurality of holes in the contact carrier; wherein the first and the second housing portions each include a coupling end having an interrupted thread formed thereon, each interrupted thread including a threaded segment and a threadless section; and wherein one of the first and the second housing portions include a spring-loaded pin extending from a first surface thereof and the other one of the 23 Date Re1rue/Date Received 2023-10-05 first and second housing portions includes a recess arranged and configured to receive a portion of the spring-loaded pin to secure a position of the second housing portion relative to the first housing portion. 24 Date Re1rue/Date Received 2023-10-05

Description

WO 2020/076282 PCT /US2018/054 793 PIN AND SLEEVE DEVICE WITH FEATURES TO FACILITATE EASIER ASSEMBLY FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE [0001] The present disclosure relates generally to electrical devices such as pin devices and corresponding sleeve devices, and more particularly to pin devices and sleeve devices incorporating one or more features to facilitate easier assembly. BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE [0002] Pin and sleeve devices including plugs, connectors, receptacles, inlets, mechanical interlocks, etc. are well known in the art. As used herein, pin devices and sleeve devices will be collectively referred to as pin and sleeve devices. Herein, a single device having either pins (e.g. a plug), sleeves (e.g. a connector), or both pins and sleeves will be referred to as a pin and sleeve device. However, reference to a pin and sleeve device is not intended to mean that any such device has to include both pins and sleeves. Such a device can include one or more pins, one or more sleeves, or both pins and sleeves. [0003] Generally speaking, pin and sleeve devices are often used to supply electrical power in harsh or high abuse environments such as, for example, wet or corrosive environments. Pin and sleeve devices are well-suited to supply electrical power to heavy equipment such as, for example, welders, motors, compressors, conveyors, portable tools, portable lighting, etc. In use, pin and sleeve devices may provide electrical connections safe from dust and water. As such, pin and sleeve devices are designed to provide power 1 WO 2020/076282 PCT /US2018/054 793 connections that are safe and secure from the environment (e.g., moisture, dirt, grime, chemicals, etc.), prevent accidental disconnect under load, and ensure high strength durability. Pin and sleeve devices provide standardized connectors and may be rated at any suitable current and voltage levels. For example, pin and sleeve devices may be rated at current levels of 16A, 20A, 30A, 32A, 60A, IO0A, 150A, 200A, 400A, or the like. In addition, pin and sleeve devices may be rated at voltage levels of 125V, 240V, 250V, 480V, 600V, 100/130V, 125/250V, 102/208V, 200/250V, 208/250V, 277/480V, 346-415V, 347/600V, 380/415V, 440-460V, and others. Moreover, pin and sleeve devices may be rated for any suitable electrical phase configuration such as single-phase, three-phase delta, and three-phase wye. [0004] It would be desirable to provide pin and sleeve devices with one or more features to facilitate easier assembly and use. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE [0005] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. [0006] Disclosed herein is an electrical pin and sleeve device including an outer housing including a first housing portion and a second housing portion, a contact carrier at least partially positioned within the outer housing, the contact carrier including a plurality of holes, a body member at least partially positioned within the outer housing 2 WO 2020/076282 PCT /0S2018/054 793 and coupled to the contact carrier, and a plurality of electrical contacts, each of the plurality of contacts being positioned at least partially within a respective one of the plurality of holes in the contact carrier, wherein the first and the second housing portions each include a coupling end having an interrupted thread formed thereon, each interrupted thread including a threaded segment and a threadless section. [0007] In one embodiment, the interrupted thread formed on the coupling end of the first housing portion includes a plurality of threaded segments circumferentially spaced about a circumference thereof, the plurality of threaded segments being circumferentially spaced apart by the threadless sections formed on the coupling end of the first housing portion. The interrupted thread formed on the coupling end of the second housing portion includes a plurality of threaded segments circumferentially spaced about a circumference thereof, the plurality of threaded segments being circumferentially spaced apart by the threadless sections formed on the coupling end of the second housing portion. The threaded segments formed on the coupling end of the first housing portion being arranged and configured to be axially received within the threadless sections formed on the coupling end of the second housing portion. The threaded segments formed on the coupling end of the second housing portion being arranged and configured to be axially received within the threadless sections formed on coupling end of the first housing portion. In use, the second housing portion is coupled to the first housing portion via partial rotation of the second housing portion relative to the first housing portion after axially inse