FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an electrical connector for use to connect or join electrical wires. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Stripping and joining of electrical cables is a time consuming job, and when installing or replacing electrical wiring numerous connections must be performed. Each wire must be stripped and connected properly to ensure adequate surface area of contact for connection between cables to enable proper power supply, and prevent electrical fires or shorting due to exposed wires or connection.

Where a property is being rewired or remodelled often existing wiring needs to be connected or changed in arrangement requiring isolation and installation of proper electrical fittings. In other situations new wiring may need to be installed. Each of these junctions is a time consuming job and can be potentially dangerous if the task is not performed safely and carefully. It is essential that the wires are connected so that the wiring will work, that the connection is properly isolated and safe.

It has long been desired for a more straightforward means to join or connect electrical wires in a quick and safe manner. There are difficulties as the method to make the action more straight-forward must be fool proof and safe and reliably create a proper connection, every time.

The inventor has through lengthy experimentation developed a significant invention in the field.

For clarity, any prior art referred to herein, does not constitute an admission that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge, in Australia or elsewhere. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrical connector that at least ameliorates one or more of the aforementioned problems of the prior art. It is further object of the invention to provide a method of connecting electrical wires that at least ameliorates one or more of the aforementioned problems of the prior art.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention provides an electrical connector, for use with electrical wires, the electrical connector including: a base; a top adapted to correspond to and be joined with the base; one or more conductive means including more than one connecting part lying between the base and top and the conductive means are arranged as more than one sets of isolated bus, with a plurality of connecting parts attached to another set of connecting parts; and one or more channels, associated with the top, adapted to lie above the conductive means; wherein a wire placed in a channel will be connected to the connecting part of the conductive means when the base and top are closed together, whereby the wire and conductive means are connected together to conduct charge, and further wherein the conductive means and connecting parts are adapted to enable isolated connection between one wire and another and the connecting part arrangements connect more than one circuit on the same apparatus.

Preferably, the electrical wires include existing electrical wires and a join or connection is made thereto. Preferably, use of the electrical connector enables connection of new wires to an existing permanent wire installation. Alternatively, the invention may be used in relation to new wiring. Preferably, the base includes means for holding the one or more conductive means. The base may take any suitable form. The base may include receiving parts for screws for holding the electrical connector together. In one form of the invention on tightening of the screws the connecting or piercing parts pierce to create the connection. Any suitable fixing may be used. A click-on connection may be included through use of a push fit.

Preferably, the base is made of a suitable plastics material. The base may take any suitable shape. Preferably, the base is substantially rectangular in profile.

Preferably, a top is included corresponding to the base. Preferably, the top is substantially rectangular in profile. The top may take any suitable shape. Preferably, the top is made of a suitable plastics material.

Preferably, the top and base correspond to fit and join together in a cooperating manner. Preferably, use of fixings are used to keep the top and base together. The fixings may be screws. Any suitable joining means or fixing may be used. In another form of the invention the top and base and click together with a push fit.

A cover may be included. If a cover is included the cover may fully cover the joined wires in use. The cover may be in the form of a box. The cover may be made of a plastics material. The cover may fit on with a push fit.

Preferably, the conductive means are made of a conductive metal. Any suitable conductive material may be used. Preferably, the connecting means are adapted to enable isolated connection between one wire and another in a convenient manner. Preferably, the connection means includes piercing parts suitable to pierce and connect to the wire. The piercing parts may take any suitable shape or means. Preferably, the piercing part is a projection which on closing of the top and base together pierces and connects to the wire. Preferably, the piercing occurs at a desired time to enable the connection. There may be multiple piercing parts. Preferably, the connection means includes one or more connecting parts to connect to one wire and one or more different connecting parts to connect to a different wire. Preferably, at least three sets of connecting parts are included. Any suitable number of connecting parts may be included to connect to multiple wires or cables as desired.

Preferably, the connecting parts are arranged as a bus with a plurality of connecting parts attached to another set of connecting parts. Multiple connecting part sets may be included. Preferably, a plurality of connecting part arrangements are included to connect more than on circuit on the same apparatus. Preferably, the three colour coded parts of a cable each connect to a separate connection means. Preferably, each of the colour coded parts can be connected at multiple sites on the connection means.

The connection means may be one or more piercing parts in any of the aforementioned described forms. Preferably there are a plurality of channels. Preferably there are three channels in each set corresponding to three connecting parts which in turn correspond to the three colour coded wires. The wires may be replaced by any suitable arrangement of wires.

Preferably, there are multiple sets of channels. Preferably there are three sets of channels so that wires can be connected in any set. Each connection means enables connection to a suitable bus at any connection set improving flexibility of connection. The particular arrangement may be varied to suit different applications.

Accordingly, the present invention also provides in a variation, electrical connector, for use with electrical wires, the electrical connector including: a base; a top adapted to correspond to and be joined with the base; one or more conductive means including one or more piercing connecting part lying between the base and top; and three sets of channels, each including three channels, associated with the top, adapted to lie above the conductive means; wherein a wire placed in a channel will be pieced by the connecting part of the conductive means when the base and top are closed together, whereby the wire and conductive means are connected together to conduct charge in an isolated manner for each of the three wires of a cable.

Accordingly, the invention also provides a method of use of an electrical connector including a base and a top adapted to correspond to and be joined with the base, one or more conductive means including one or more connecting part lying between the base and top, and one or more channels associated with the top, the method including the following steps: a) Choosing a section of cable to be connected;

b) Striping the section of cable to reveal the wires;

c) Closing the top and base together, to close the electrical connector, whereby on closing the top and base together the connecting part connects the wire in the channel to the conductive means and to any circuit to which the conductive means is connected thereto. Preferably, the electrical connector of the method is the electrical connector of the invention in any of its forms or variants.

It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that changes may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in its various aspects. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The electrical connector may be manufactured industrially and supplied to wholesalers or retails for supply to the end user. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in connection with non-limiting preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective exploded view from above of an electrical connector according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention, the wires are omitted for ease of illustration;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the electrical connector of Figure 1 after installation of the wires, again the wires are omitted for ease of illustration;

Figure 3 is a view from above of the inside of the base of the electrical connector of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a side view of the electrical connector illustrating the piecing points for the wires in the channels;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the three aligned connectors conductive bus;

Figure 6 is a view from below of the top of the electrical connector of Figures 1 , 2 and 4;

Figure 7 is an end view of the electrical connector of Figure 1 is a partially assembled state; and

Figure 8 is a perspective exploded view from above of an electrical connector according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention, similar to the first, the wires are again omitted for ease of illustration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION INCLUDING A BEST MODE

Referring to Figures 1 to 7, a preferred embodiment of the invention will be described, where electrical connector 1 , has base 10, connectors 12, top 14 and cover 16. Electrical connector 1 is made in the most part from a strong plastic material as a suitable safe, isolating material as would be readily understood by a person skilled in the art. Base 10 has floor 18, with side panels 20 and 22 and receiving points 24, only some of which are labelled. These receiving points are configured to be plastic cylinders for receipt of fixings. The receiving points are for safe receipt of screws (not illustrated) which pass through cover 16, top 14 and into receiving points 24. Through use of screws cover 16, top 14 and base 12 can be secured together to complete the installation.

Channels 26 are in sets of three, 26a, 26b and 26c repeating across top 14. As illustrated there are three sets, to go with the three coloured wires; may be varied depending on the particular application of the invention. Lying directly below channels 26 are corresponding connectors bus 12a, 12b and 12c again corresponding to the three different wires. Small apertures (not labelled) in the underside of cover 16, forming base of channels 26 enable the piercing parts 28a, 28b, 28c and 28d to pierce through the plastic cover insulation of the cable to the wire in channels 26 when installed together as described further below. Only some of piercing parts 28a, 28b, 28c and 28d are labelled for ease of illustration but clearly three sets can be seen.

Connectors 12a, 12b and 12c are important to enable arrangement and connection of the wires, one to another, in the closed state. There is a connector per circuit type and these connect the wires together once connected. Connects 12a, 12b and 12c are important as these provide an extension of the wires so that they can be connected one to the other, without needing to actually connect the wires one to the other.

Screws, not shown can be applied through holes 30 in cover 16, through holes 32 in top 14 into receiving points 24 in base 10. Firmly holding all the parts together with the screws in the final part of the installation. Other fixings may be used instead.

The method of use is to first identify a cable or circuit to be joined and connected. The electrical professional will turn off the power to the circuit so it is safe to work on, before proceeding. The cable will be connected between two permanent fixed points such as a light fitting and other power point, for example. Electrical wires are provided with a thermos-plastic sheath which is stripped from a short length at the position where the joining is to occur similar to if the end of a wire was to be stripped so the coloured wires are accessible. The new cabling to which the join is to occur is installed first, to minimise shock risk through exposure to live pats as per the rules and regulations in this regard. Typically several wires are provided together and are colour coded for the nature of the connection to be made. It is important at this point that not too much wire is stripped as it would be highly undesirable to have the loose coloured wires protruding from connector 1 , after installation. The colour coded wires are now ready to be used with electrical connector 1 of the invention.

The wires (not shown) are positioned into electrical connector 1 , in a first sent channels 26a (red), 26b (green) and 26c (blue) the colours referring to the colours of connectors 12a, 12b and 12c below. These channels 26 are in sets to correspond to the wires to be used and some or all may be used in the connection. Use of corresponding colour can be used to ease use or other labels can be used instead. The positioning is such that the three wires red, green and blue correspond to the red, green and blue connectors labelled 12a (red), 12b (green) and 12c (blue) below. Cover 16 and top 14 are screwed tightly onto base 10 through use of screws (not shown) into receiving portions 24 at the end where the wires are being connected. The pressure of the screwing causes piecing parts 28 to pierce the individual wires so they connect through connectors 12a, 12b, and 12c.

At this point the second wire to be joined can be stripped to enable access to the coloured wires. The wires are fed into another set of channels 16 until the ends meet the outside of top 14; this acts as a stop bar to prevent wires being pushed in too far. Screwing down of the other side of top 14, with cover 16 into base 10 causes piercing of the piercing parts 28 of these further wires so that they also connect with connectors 12a, 12b and 12c and with the first wires attached. In this manner, a first wire is connected in a channel by piercing to connect with connector 12a, 12b or 12c which in turn is connected to another wire, creating a circuit. The inventor has developed an ingenious, convenient and safe means to join wires that is likely to become extremely popular with electrician professionals.

Referring to Figure 8 or 9, a preferred embodiment of the invention will be described, similar to the first excepting a different circuit arrangement is enabled, and a housing is included. Similar reference numerals are used throughout for convenience. Electrical connector 101 , has base 110, connectors 112a, 112b and 112c, top 114, cover 116 and housing 117. Top 114 in the current version include stop bars to the middle and right side channels, not shown. Electrical connector 101 is made in the most part from a strong plastic material other than where conduction is required by the connectors 112a, 112b and 112c. Base 110 has floor 118 and receiving points 124 for safe receipt of screws (not illustrated). These screws pass through housing 117, cover 116, top 114 and into receiving points 124. It is envisaged that simple push in clips will be included on floor 118 and these are to assist to hold the connectors/bus in place. Some variation may be made to the arrangement in this regard. Through use of screws housing 117, cover 116, top 114 and base 110 can be secured together to complete the installation.

Channels 126 are in sets of three, 126a, 126b and 126c repeating across top 114. Each channel includes an indent (not shown) for each stripped section of cable to allow more room for the insulation to be housed within the connector. These modifications are in accordance with the relevant rules and regulations in this regard. Lying directly below channels 26 are corresponding connectors 112a, 112b and 112c as in the first embodiment. However, instead of being staggered and lying in the same space, connectors 112 are spaced apart as can be seen in Figure 8 in particular. Apart from the arrangement the method of use is the same for the connectors as described above for the first embodiment.

Piercing parts 128a, 128b, 128c and 128d or connectors 112a, 112b, and 112c are similar to those described above; again only some of which are labelled. The method of use of the second preferred embodiment is similar to the first, where a wire to be joined is chosen and isolated from the electrical supply. The colour coded wires are freed from the cover sheath ready for connection.

The wires (not shown) are positioned into electrical connector 101 , in a first sent channels 126a (red), 126b (green) and 126c (blue) the colours referring to the colours of connectors 112a, 112b and 112c below. These channels 126 are in sets to correspond to the wires to be used and some or all may be used in the connection. Use of corresponding colour can be used to ease use or other labels can be used instead. The positioning is such that the three wires red, green and blue correspond to the red, green and blue connectors 112, labelled 112a (red), 112b (green) and 112c (blue) below.

Housing 117, cover 116 and top 114 are screwed tightly onto base 110 through use of screws (not shown) into receiving portions 124 at the end where the wires are being connected. The pressure of the screwing causes piecing parts 128a, 128b, 128c and 128d to pierce the individual wires so they connect through connectors 112.

At this point the second wire to be joined can be stripped to enable access to the coloured wires, in the same manner as described above so they connect into the same circuit.

Overall, the inventor has developed a surprisingly clever and effective electrical connector for quick, safe connection of more than one electrical wire. REFERENCE SIGNS LIST: