TWIST-ON WIRE CONNECTOR AND APPLICATION TOOL THEREFOR

摘要

A twist-on wire connector is releasably engageable with a tool. The connector and the tool are provided with complimentary driving features which allow the tool to be moved independent of and relative to the connector when the tool is moved in one rotational direction and which place the tool and connector into driving engagement when the tool is moved in the opposite rotational direction such that the connector is moved with the tool to apply the connector onto a plurality of electrical conductors. The complimentary driving features are provided to the tool and the connector by providing to each of the tool and the connector one or more engagement surfaces positioned adjacent to a slipping surface.

主权项

1. A system for connecting electrical conductors, comprising:
a twist-on wire connector comprising a connector housing having an upper end, a lower end having an opening, and a central cavity in communication with the opening for accommodating an electrical connecting element, the connector housing having a first driving feature; and a tool for use in applying the twist-on wire connector to a plurality of electrical conductors comprising a tool housing having an upper end, a lower end having an opening, and a central cavity in communication with the opening for releasably receiving therein at least the upper end of the connector housing, the tool housing having a second driving feature that is complementary to the first driving feature such that, when the tool is operationally positioned upon the twist-on wire connector, the second driving feature of the tool is free to move independent of and relative to first driving feature of the twist-on wire connector when the tool is moved in one rotational direction and the second driving feature of the tool is caused to drivingly engage and move therewith the first driving feature of the twist-on wire connector when the tool is moved in an opposite rotational direction.