The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 10, 1977
Filed:
May. 14, 1975
Frederick William Hill, Lechlade, EN;
Raychem Limited, London, EN;
Abstract
Described herein is a reusable connector which may, for example, find use in making electrical connections. The connector comprises a heat recoverable metallic band disposed about a non-resilient, deformable member, typically a hollow cylinder that has been slotted to form tines, that has been deformed from an original configuration. When it is desired to make a connection, an object member is inserted into the deformable member and the metallic band is caused to shrink and drive the deformable member towards its original configuration thereby engaging the object member. Preferably the object member has an enlarged portion that is positioned so that when the object member is inserted, the enlarged portion passes through the metallic band. Recovery of the metallic band behind the enlarged portion inhibits withdrawal of the object member from the connector. The connector is reusable in that when the temperature of the band is reduced to cause it to revert to its martensitic state, the object member can be removed from the connector. If the object member has an enlarged portion, it will re-expand the deformable member and the recoverable member during withdrawal.