US2913698A - Wiring device - Google Patents

Description

wnuNG DEVICE Arthur flr'omhley, Bridgeport, Conn., assignor to `The Bryant Electric Company, Bridgeport, Conn., a corpo- Vration of lConnecticut ,y e Y "Apparition March 25, 195s, seriaiNo. 496,664

i'lclails. (Cl. 3.394164) My invention relates generally-to electrical wiring devices and, more particularly, to anew and improvedwir# ing-device having screwless terminals for electrically connecting such 4devices together and to a source of electrical power. j i Although in principle my invention is applicableto a, wide variety of wiring devices, it is more particularly suited for the small low voltage devices, such as housesupport a part of the screwless terminal, which construc-A tion has added to the cost of producing such devices.

Accordingly, one object of my invention is to provide a new' and improvedwiring device'having improved and simpliled means; for making electrical. connections thereto.v i

A more specific object of my invention is to provide a new anduimproved wiring device which utilizes a onepiece spring clamp to engage various sizes of electrical conductors and which has integral means for locating the clamp within the device.

Another Aspecific object of my invention is to provide a new and improved wiring device having a one-piece wire engaging clamp for use in screwless terminals which is fabricated from spring metal Iwhich'is slotted to form two legs. A

1 A further object of my invention is to provide a new and improved wiring device .with screwless terminals having a housing of simplified construction.

Another object of my inventionis to provide a new and improved wiring device having a housing of simplied construction with self-locating screwless terminals of simplified construction therein.

` These and other objects of my Iinvention willbecome more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of a wiring device constructedA inaccordance with the principles of my invention, when taken in connection with the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is'a s ide elevational view of a duplex receptacleY constructed in accordance with the principles of my invention with one portion of the wire thereof` in cross section;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the bottom portion of the receptacle shown in Fig. l showing locatedtheren one elongated terminal and a pair of spring clamps adjacent thereto and omitting the othery elongated terminal and its associated clamps for clarity;

Eig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the receptacle shown 2,913,698 Patented vNov.` 17, 1959 rice in Fig. 1 taken'substantiall'y along the line III-III of Fig. 2 but including the portions omitted therein; and

Fig.' 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a spring clamp constructed in accordance with my invention.

Figs.` l` to V3 illustrate a receptacle which is eonstruct.

ed in accordance with the principles of my invention which comprises an upper housing 2, a lower housing 4, an electrical terminal 6 located Within the housings 2 and .4, a pair` of spring clamps 5 and 5' adjacentthe electrical terminal 6 and a yoke 8 for mounting the entire assembly; The particular construction of housing 2 and the cooperable structure Vof yokeV 8 whereby theV housing 2 and yoke 8 `are secured together does not form a part of this invention but may be of any satisfactory construction similar tothat more completely shown, described and claimed in the copending application, entitled Wiring Device, Serial No."4'63,77l, tiled October 2l, 1954 of O. L. Taylor, now Patent No. 2,865,010 and which has been assignedto the same assignee as this invention.

Both the housings 2 and 4 are formed from any suitable insulating material, preferably from a molded insulating material which may readily to provided with the necessary external and internal structure as hereinafter described.` Housing 4 is symmetrical about its longitudinalaxisfand formed so that a terminal 6 maybe located at each side thereof. For clarity of this description, in Fig. 2,*only one'terminal 6 is shown located in housing 4, however, two such terminals 6 are normally employed n lth'e assembled receptacle as" shown in Fig. 3. Each electrical terminal `6is formed from any suitable good electrical conducting material, such as copper o r brass. Spring clips 5and5' are formed from any suitable resilient rnaterial,such as springsteeL to operate in a manner as hereinafter described, and yoke 8 may be formed from any suitable material which has suiflcient structural strength, VVsuch as sheet steel. Y

Lower-housing 4 (Fig. 2) comprises an approximately rectangular base 28 having upwardly extending formed sidewalls30 which in turn are joined together wat each end of the base 28 by upwardly extending end walls 32.

. y Lower. housing 4 vis provided with a central, longitudinally kextending barrier 18 o'nV substantially its longitudinal centerline which extends between the end walls 32 so asto form a longitudinally extendingchamber 3 between each `side wall 30 of housing `4 and thel barrier `18. It will alsol be noted (Fig. 3) that the sides 10 of barrier 184 are substantially perpendicular to the base 28.

Each terminal 6 comprises an elongated longitudinally extending arm 34 which terminatesat each of its ends in integral U-shaped portions 42 which are formed so thattheir bight portions are parallel to, but longitudinallydisplaced inwardly from, the arm 34'and with their open ends'in approximately longitudinal alignment with the arm 34. Each arm and the bight portion of the U- shaped portion 42 is provided with an upwardly extending bladel 41, each of which is bent inwardly toward the middle?, of the U-shaped portion` 42 so as to form a T- shaped opening `therewithin. If desired, each blade 41 may be provided with an integral angularly, upwardly and outwardly extending projection 44 for guiding the blades of an inserted connector (not shown) within the T- shaped opening. Inforder to support and receive the longitudinally extending arm 34 of each terminal 6 within each chamber 3, the portion of -base 28 within each chamber 3 of housing 4 is provided with a longitudinally extending groove 36in alignment with the inner surface of the side wall 30 which has a lateral width so as tovclosely receive arm 34 therein'. Y Each groove v3 6 terminates at each of its ends in a* laterally and inwardly extending recess 45 which is of a size to closely receive a U-shaped portion 42 of terminalI 6 therein. In order to support arm 34 of each terminal 6 inengagement with the inner surfaces of side walls 30, barrier 18 is provided with a pair of longitudinally spaced supports 12 which extend laterally outwardly from each side 10 thereof toward groove.36, adjacent thereto. The outer ends of supports 12 are spaced inwardly from the inner surface of the adjacent side wall. 30 so that the arm 34 of terminal 6 may be receivedl therebetween. yA further support 14 is provided on each side of barrier 18, on approximately the lateral centerline of housing 4, each of which extends laterally outward from the sides 10 toward the inner surface of the side walls 30, in the same manner as supports 12j. By such: construction each terminal 6 may. easily be inserted from thek open side of housingV 4 so that the lower edge ofl its arm 34 enters groove 36, andv its arm itself is supported against the inner surface of side walls 30 by the outer ends of supportslZ and 14. Atl the same time Ll-shaped portions 4Z of each terminal 6 are located inappropriate recesses 45. As can readily be appreciated, since housing 4. is preferably a molded' part, a slight taper may easily be provided on the innerv surface of end walls 32 to force the outer arms of the U-shaped ends 42 toward each other to slightly bias the ends of terminal- 6- towards each other. If desired, ad ditional integral locating means may be provided on the inner surface of base 28 and on the barrier 18 to properly locate the various parts of terminal 6 within the chamber 3 of housing 4, as is more fully described in the above-I identified copending application. Grooves 36, supports- 12. housing 4. by well known forming operations.

Referring to Fig. 4, itwill benotedthat a spring clamp'y 5 constructed-.inaccordance with the principles of my in'- vention comprises` a one-piece member formedv from. al single plate having an upwardly extending generally rectangular back` 50 which is divided into substantially two equal parts by means of an upwardly extending slot S2;

If desred ini order to relieve the stress concentration be provided at its upper end1 at the end of slot 52, it may with a suitable enlarged opening such as a transversely extending oblong opening 54 which has its upper. edge: closely adjacent the upper dividing back 5,0,v one portion thereof may be easily deected with. relation-to the other portion. If desired, the upper. portionof back 50 may be bent angularlyv outwardtherefrom to form aflange 51 which provides additionali rigidity thereto. The lower edge of each spaced portion of back .50 is provided with an` integral outwardly-extending rectangular leg-y as the flange 51. As shown, one leg 56 extendssubstantially perpendicular toback 50, while the othery leg.V 58 extends angularly upward towards back 50 so as to form a generally V-shape therewith. The free edge off leg 58 is provided with an offset inwardly projecting semiY circular offset 60 for wire engaging purposes, as dis'- cussed hereinafter. Inasmuch as such` construction is quiteA simple, spring clamps 5Y may inexpensively be fabricated by simple blanking and bending, operations. Ashereinafter. indicated, a second spring clamp 5 is also used in my device which is substantially identicalV to l spring clamp 5, and accordingly, same. reference numeral.

Referring again to Fig. 2, housing 4 is also symmetrical about its lateral center line so that the supportsl 12' and` support 14 on eachl side of barrier 18 form a pair of longitudinally. adjacentchambers 40 adjacent each arm 34` of the terminals 6. Although as indicatedonly two springr clamps are shown (Fig. 2) located in one pair ofadjacent chambers 40, each chamber 40 is formed so that a springv clamp mayA be closely received therein.

Each chamberv 40.isformed so that aspringfclamp-5 or 5 may be` located therein with its legA 56 engagingthe inner surface of base 28and-,with its back. 50cmand 14, and recesses 45 may easily be providedin` edge of'the back 50. Byl so which legs are approximatelyv of' equal length and `are located on the same side of back 50 like parts have thev gaging the longitudinally extending side 10 of barrier 18 forming a part of the particular chamber 40m-which the spring clamp 5 or 5 is located. Each support 12 is spaced from its adjacent support 14 so that the sides of each spring clamp 5 or 5 are closely adjacent the adjacent sides thereof, whereby spring clamp 5 or 5 is supported against any substantially longitudinal movement within chambers 40. In this regard, it will be noted that each of the spring clamps-5 or 5 when located within a chamber 40 is formed sothat legs 56thereof are-ad jacent the support 14. Such arrangement of spring clamps 5 and 5 is for the purpose ofl providing additional space between the conductors leading to the assembled device. It is obvious, however, that such location of'legs 56 of spring clamps 5 and 5 requires these-two spring clamps to be fabricated with the legs 56 and 58 interchanged thereon. Thus, the spring clamp 5 shown in Fig. 4 is only adapted Vto be located in the upperv right and lower lefthandtchambers 40'of Fig. 2. The spring clamp 5', which is= identical tothe springY clamp 5 previously'describcd; in all' respects exceptf that the legsA 56 and 58 are' interchanged'with-relation to back 50, is adaptedto beflocated: in the upper left and lower right-hand chambers 40 of Fig. 2'. By so. providing oppositely formed springclamps 5. andSf, housing 4 may-befformed'so asto be symmetrical about. its. lateral center line with relation to' openings 62' and 64ain baseZS, as hereinafter described. Aswill1 become apparent', either a-single-type spring clamp 5-` or 5" could be located in all;V of the chambers 40 by merelyI relocating certainopenings 62-and 64firrbase 28 so as to` bez cooperable withv the legsv 58 thereoff as hereinafter described.

Once; spring: clamps 5 and` 5' and terminals 6" have beenlocatedrasindicated` in housing 4, the upper housing' 2; with yoke; S: secured thereto, aspreviously indicated. is. then. secured to the lower housing 4. In' assembling.. housings'Z to housing; 4?, the underside of housing: 2'. must obviouslybe formed to cooperatewith' the.v various partsof the upper surface of housingI 4 and. to permit yoke; 8V toy extendf longitudinally outward fromv each: end thereof. The sidelwallsof housingZ are' also formed to engage the side walls 30` of housingV 4' so as to form acornplete housing structurevvithhousing 4. Reference is; again made to-thel above-identified copending application as= illustrative of a vsimilarly con-- structed, upper housing. As. showny in Fig. l, housing 2 is provided with upwardly extending longitudinally spacedprojections 66,which are provided with-a pair of laterally spaced: slots: 68 (only one-of which isshown)l whereby. the prongs of an inserted connector (not shown)v may engage the blades 41 at one end of each terminal'- 6. Housing 2 is also provided with a central opening' 89 betweenprojections 66 for exposing a portionk of yoke 8 which portion is providedwith a threaded opening 82, whereby a standard face platel (not shown) may be secured to-the yoke S-byfmeans of a threaded screw. In order to accommodatefsuch a screw, the barrier 18` of housing 4 is provided (Fig, 2) with anV enlargementL having a circular recess '70which`is aligned'with opening 82.' The upper edge of recess-70 is formed to engage the lowerV edge of housing 2' so as to centrally support housing 2'.' Barrier 18 is also provided with an enlargement haviug an opening-72 at each longitudinal side of recess 70 whichextendsentirely4 through barrier 18` andf terminates in an enlarged recess 74 on the underside of base 28; Yoke 8 is provided with. a threaded opening76 in alignment with each` opening 72 when the device is assembled. Thereafter, housing 2 maybe securedl to housing 4 by inserting' machine` screws 78 through openings` 72'V so that their threaded' end engages the threadedropenings 76fin yoke 8 in alignmenttherewith and'sovthat the heads thereof engage the inner surface of the recesses-74. It'will be noted that other suitablemeans may be employed to secure housing 2 'in the-above-idientified counderside of housing 2 sol as to permit. housing 2 to be assembled to housing 4 in only one relative manner. Or if desired, recesses 94 may be4 provided in end walls 32 of housing 4 adjacent diagonally opposed chambers 44` which are cooperable with downwardly extending projections (not shown) on the underside of housing 2 so as to also permit housing`2to, be assembled to housing 4 in only one relative-manner.

Referring to Figs 2 and 3 -it will be noted that the portion of base 28 in each chamber 40 closely adjacent each support 12 is provided with openings 62 and 64 so that they 'are directly below the angularly extending legs 58 of spring clamps 5 and 5'. for the purpose of receiving a bare electrical conductor therein and accordingly are preferably circular in form. Since electrical connections are to be `made to terminals 6, they are-located adjacent the terminal 6 so that their outermost edge (Fig. 2) is in alignment'with the inner edge of its cooperable terminal` 6. An opening 64 isV located between each opening 62 and the adjacent side 10 of barrier 18 for wire releasing purposes, and accordingly a longitudinally (Fig. 2) elongated slot` configuration is preferred whereby a suitable blunt instrument such as a screwdriver blade may be inserted therethrough.` Openings 62 and A64 may haveother coniigurations for accomplishing su-ch purposes. Offsets 60 of spring clamps and 5 are locatedin alignment with openings 62, and accordingly, they lare displaced from the center of leg 58 toward-its outer side.

As shown in Fig. 3, the inner surface of `housing 2 above each of the chambers 40 is Vprovided `with a at surface 86 which extends substantially pe'rpendicularly outwardly from the sides of barrier 18 and which is spaced upwardly from the inner lsurface of base 28 of housing 4 soV as to engage the upper free edges of the flange 51 in each of the -chambers 40, whereby `spring clamps 5 and 5 are held against displacement upwardly toward the upper' housing 2. The inner surface of housing 2 above each of the chambers 40 is also provided with a projection 88 4between each side 10 of barrier '18 and the sidewall 30 of housing 4 adjacent thereto, which extends'down'wardly from surface 86 toward the base 28 of housing 4. As shownV each projection 88 is providedwith a sloping surface 90 which extends from its free end angularly upward and outwardly toward housing 2 and are located so as to be in the path of motion of'legs 58 when they 'are dellectedby an inserted conductor so as to limit the upward movement of legs 58. inasmuch as projections 88 need only cooperate with legs 58 of spring clamps 5 andV 5 they need only extend longitudinally within chambers 40 approximately tlie width of legs 58. If desired, however, projection-88 may extend substantially the entire distance between the opposedsurfaces of supports `12 and 14.

, As has been indicated, receptacles constructed in accordance with the principles of lmy invention are best suited for household or similar useV where low alternating4 current voltages are customarily supplied. Although such wiring systems do not have a polarity in the technical sense of the word, it is necessary to keep each side of the supply line independent throughout the system as one side of the line is customarily grounded. Thus each terminal 6 within the receptacle must be connected to dilerent sides of the supply line. VIn making such electrical connections, a bare electrical condpgtor (not shown) is initially inserted into any open- Openings 62 are i set 6i) and force the leg 58 upwardly toward the adjacent side 10 of barrier 18, so `that the conductor will slip past the offset 60 in leg 58 upwardly towardv housing 2. Once the conductor has Yslipped past leg 58, the free edge thereof is resiliently forced against the conductor to hold the conductor within the housing 4 against arm 34 of adjacent terminal 6, due to the resiliency of the material `from which spring clamp 5 or 5 is made. inasmuch as leg 58 is angularly disposed with relation to the inserted conductor, any reverse force applied to the conductor will Atend to jam the leg 58 into' further engagement with the conductor, thereby preventing the conductor from being removed from the housing 4. 'It is also obvious that the force exerted by the leg 58 upon the conductor is dependent upon the force necessary to initially deflect the leg 58, and accordingly it is amatter of design as to the material used for the spring clamps 5 and 5' and the position of legs 58 of spring clamps 5 and 5 with respect to the conductor. Once the conductor has been so inserted within the housing 4, it is desirable that the portion of the conductor located outsidethe housing 4 be provided with insulation (not shown) to prevent an electrical hazard. As legs 58 of spring clamps 5 and 5 Vare deected, various sizes of commercially available obvious, of course, that extremely llarge conductors* would not be satisfactory for such service,l and such are prevented from being inserted by the limitations of the size of openings 62. Further, the engagement of the upper end of legs 58 of spring clamps 5 and 5 with the sloping surfaces in projections 88 prevent the legs 58 from being deformed to a'point where permanent deformation occurs.

In order to release the conductor from the leg 58 of a spring clamp 5 or 5, it is only necessary to insert a blunt instrument, such as a screwdriver'within the adjacent opening 64 in the base 28 of lower housing 4, and engage the undersurface of leg 58 and force it- -upwardly toward housing 2, whereby the clamping force on the conductor is removed and the ,conductor may easily be withdrawn. Inasmuch as each spring clamp 5 or 5 is thus accessible, the conductors may be removed individually from their various positions within the housing 4.

Thus, it will be noted that by ings of a receptacle a wire clamp ofmy construction may easily be assembled therein without requiring any additional fastening means for securing the wire clamp to the housing. Also, as my wire clamp is of simpli-f lied form it may easily be produced in an inexpensive" respectively, said housing having integral means extend-V ing laterally inwardly from said base surface to form a pair of longitudinally spaced U-shaped walls adjacent each terminal with their open sides facing the terminal providing a `simply formed integral structure in the'upper and lower hous- Accordingly, it-is desired that adjacent thereto, one-piece. springs closely fitting between:

the arms of. each of said. walls, respectively, each of said springs comprising. a back portion engaging the inner'surface. of. thebight portion of said walls and arst lateral. arm extending. from the back portion to engage said base surface of said housing between the arms of said. walls and. extending` between said bight portionand the terminal. adjacent thereto so that said spring is substantially nonfmovahly. located within the cham7 ber.. defined. by said Wallsand said base surface, each of said. springs having a second armextending angularly laterally from said back portion adjacent said base surface. with its free end. located closely adjacent the inner surface-of the terminal adjacent thereto, said back portion. formed to prevent the transmitting of stresses from.

saidsecond arm to-saidiirst: arm, and an opening in said base. surface to the. exterior of said housing below each of. said second. arms vwhereby an electrical conductor may be inserted. therethrough between each of said free ends and its adjacent terminal.

2. A wiring device comprising, an insulating support having portions extending laterally outwardly toform at. least one U-shaped. wall, at least oneV terminal mounted on said support having at least a part thereof extending across the open side of said wall, a onepiece spring located. between the arms of said wall cornprising aback. portion engaging the inner surface of the bight portion of said wall and a lirst arm engaging the surface of. said support between the arms of said wall and. extending between said bight portion and said part of said terminal adjacent thereto to substantially prevent. motion of saidbaclc portion away from the bight portion, of said wall, said spring having a second arm extending angularly upwardly from said back portion adjacent. the supportand with its free end located closely adjacent. said part of; said terminal adjacent thereto, an opening in said support below said second arm whereby an electrical conductor may be inserted therethrough between. saidl freeY end and its adjacent terminal, a cover of insulating material secured to said support having a portion thereof extending over the back portion of said spring, and said back portion of said spring. being of a height so as to be closely adjacent said portion of said cover whereby said spring is restrained from upward movement between said arms of said wall,

3. A wiring deviceV comprising, an insulating support having portions extending laterally outwardly to form at leastone U-shaped wall, at least one terminal mounted on said support having at least a part thereof extending across the open side of said-wall, a one-piece spring located betweenthearms of said wall comprising a back portion engaging the inner surface of the bight portion of said wall and a-rst armengaging the surface of said support between the armsof said wall and extendingbetween saidA bight` portion and said part of said terminal adjacent thereto so that said spring is located within the chamber formed by said U-shaped wall so as to be non-rotatable in aV plane at an angle to said wall, said spring having a. second. arm extending angularly upwardly from said surface. andv outwardly from said back portion with its free endlocated closely adjacent said part of said terminal adjacent thereto,V an opening in the support below said second arm` whereby an electrical conductor may be inserted therethrough between said free end and its adjacent terminal, a cover of insulating material secured to said support so that a portion thereof extends over the back portion ofV said spring, said back portion of said spring being of al height so asto be closely adjacent said portion of said cover whereby said spring is restrained fromupward movementbetween said arms of said wall,

anda projection extending downward from said portion.

of'said cover located between said arms of said wall to limit.` the deflection of said second arm of said spring.

4'; A wiring device comprising, an insulating support havingat least onerecesstherein with at least one pair of opposedsubstantially parallel walls, a terminal secured.`

to said support having iat least a part thereof extending across the inner. surface of. one of said. parallel walls of' said recess,. a one-piece spring clamp formed from aresilient material: having a back portion. located in engagement. withthe'other of said parallel walls and beingl spring having-an engaging arm spaced from said locating' arm and extending angularly outward from said baclcV portion toward said part of said terminal and with its free end adjacent thereto, saidI free end' of said engaging arm being located above the. base of said recess and anV opening in saidsupport located so that an electrical con.- ductor may be. inserted therethrough between said free end of? said engaging arm and said part of said terminal.

5. A wiring device comprising, two cup-shaped insulating members which are secured together to form a.

hollow housing, at least one open-sided recess in the interior of one of said insulating members having its open side extending toward the open side of said one insulating'.` member, said recess having at least one pair of' opposedv substantially parallel side walls, a terminal mounted in. said housing having at least a part thereof extending'.

across the inner surface of one of said parallel walls of said recess, a one-piece` spring clamp formed from a;

resilient material located. in said .recess and having a back portion located in engagement with the other of.

said parallel walls and being of a length so as to be closely received between the sides of said recess so that saidv spring clamp is restrained from` movement within saidv recess parallel to. saidv walls, said spring clamp having a.

locating armin engagement with the innermost surface of said recess.extendingoutwardly from said back portion.

toward said part of saidl terminal and with its free end adjacent thereto so that said spring clamp is rcstrainedl frommovement transversely between said parallel walls. of said recess, said spring clamp having an engaging armv spaced from said locating arm and extending angularly outward from saidl back portion toward said part of said terminal and with its free end adjacent thereto, said free end of said engagingY arm. being located above said innermost surface of said recess, a projection extending inwardly from the innermost surface of the other of saidy insulating members-having its free end closely adjacent the outermost. edge ofl said back portion of said spring clamp so that said spring clamp is restrained from substantial. movement, towardv said other insulating member, an openingin said one insulating member located so that an electrical conductor may be inserted therethrough between said free end of said engaging arm and said part of said terminal.

6I A wiring device. comprising, an insulating support having a laterally outwardly extending terminal secured thereto, an abutment extending laterally outward from said support and spaced from a part of said terminal so as to be approximately parallel thereto, a one-piece spring clamp formed from a resilient material having an elongated back portion engageable with the surface of said abutment facing said part of said terminal and a rst leg in engagement with said support and extending betweensaid abutment and said part of said terminal with its free end adjacent said part of. said terminal so that said spring clamp is restrained frommovement therebetween, projecf tions extending laterally outwardly from said support located at opposite ends. of saidback portion, respectively, so that said. spring, clamp is restrained from movement therebetween, said spring clamp having a second leg adjacent said tirstdeggcxtending angularly between said abut ment and said part of said terminal with its free end adjacent said part of said terminal and above said support, and an opening in said support located so that an electrical conductor may be inserted therethrough between the free end of said second leg and said part of said terminal.

7. A wiring device comprising, an insulating support, a terminal secured to said support so as to extend outwardly therefrom in one direction, a one-piece spring having a resilient leg extending from a point on said support spaced from said terminal angularly outwardly from`said support and toward a portion of said terminal with the free end thereof being adjacent to said portion of said terminal, an opening in said support located ad jacent said portion of said terminal so that an electrical conductor may be inserted therethrough between said free end of said leg and said portion of said terminal, said Support including means for maintaining said spring at the aforesaid position including an outwardly extending wall at the aforesaid point in spaced opposed relation to said terminal, said spring having an integral angularly extending portion seated on said wall and joined at its outer end to another angled portion including one leg seated on said support and another leg seated against said wall, said `support also having outwardly extending portions at opposite sides of said spring preventing undesired movement of the spring, and means engaging thev outer end of the leg which is seated against said wall for preventing movement thereof away from said support.

8. A wiring device comprising, an insulating support, a terminal mounted on one side` of said support so as to extend outwardly therefrom, an abutment also extending outwardly from said one side of the support in spaced opposed relation to said terminal, a spring clamp formed of a strip of resilient material having a back seated against the opposed wall formed by said abutment,

a clamping leg projecting from the inner edge of said backv adjacent said support angularly outwardly from said support to a lpoint adjacent one portion of Vsaid terminal, a positioning leg also projecting from the inner edge of said back toward said one portion of said terrnnal parallel to and seated on said one side of said support and terminating adjacent said one portion of said terminal to substantially prevent motion of said back away from said wall, means mounted on said support engaging the outer edge of said back, and an opening through said support adjacent said one portion of the terminal so that an electricalconductor may be inserted therethrough and between the free end of the clamping leg and said portion of the terminal.

9. A wiring device comprising, an insulating support, a terminal mounted on one side of said support so as to extend outwardly therefrom, an abutment also extending outwardly from said one side of the'support in spaced opposed relation to said terminal, a spring clamp formed of a strip of resilient material having a back seated against said abutment, a clamping leg projecting from the inner edge of said back adjacent said support angularly outwardly from said support to a point adjacent one portion of said terminal, a positioning leg also projecting from the inner edge of said back parallel to and seated on said one side of said support, said legs being spaced` terminal so that an electrical conductor may be inserted therethrough and between the free end of the clamping leg and said portion of the terminal.

10. A wiring device comprising, an insulating support, a terminal mounted on one side of said support so as to extend outwardly therefrom, an 'abutment also extending outwardly from said one side of the support in Y formed of a strip of resilient material having a back seated against said abutment, a clamping leg projecting from the edge of said back adjacent said support angularly outwardly from said support to a point adjacent one portion of said terminal, a positioning leg also projecting from the inner edge of said back parallel to and seated on said one side of said support, a ilange on the outer edge of said back, means mounted on said support engaging the flange on the outer edge of said back, andV an opening through said support adjacent said one portion of the terminal so that an electrical conductor may be inserted therethrough and `between the free end of theA .clamping leg andsaid portion of the terminal.

ofa strip of resilient material having a back seated against said abutment, a clamping leg projecting from the edge of said back adjacent said support angularly outwardly from said support to a point adjacent one portion of said terminal, a positioning leg also projecting from n the inner edge of said back parallel to and seated on said 25- one side of said support, means mounted on said support engaging the outer edge of said back, an opening through said support adjacent said one portion of the terminal so that an electrical conductor may be inserted there- Athrough and between the free end of the clamping leg and said portion of the terminal, a second` opening through said support beneath said clamping le'g foi-the insertion of a tool to engage and deflect said clamping leg away from said terminal to release an inserted conductor, and stop means secured to said support above `said clamping leg to limit deflection of the latter.

12. `A one-piece spring clamp formed from a strip of resilient material comprising, a substantially flat back Vhaving a slotextending laterally from one side but terminating short of the opposite side thereof so as to form `two substantially `parallel spaced legs, a resilient substantially planarlocating arm extending angularly outwardly from the outer end of one of said legs, and a resilient substantially planar engaging arm extending angularly outwardly from the outer end of the other of said legs and forming a more acute angle with said back than said locating arm, whereby said engaging arm may be resiliently deflected with respect to said locating arm.

13. A one-piece spring clamp formed from a strip of .resilient material comprising, a substantially flat back having a slot extending laterally from one side but terminating short of the opposite side thereof so as to form two substantially parallel spaced legs, a substantially planar locating ann extending angularly outwardly from the free end of one of said legs, a substantially planar engaging arm extending angularly outwardly from the free end of the other of said legs and forming a more acute angle with said back than said locating arm, said opposite side of the back being formed to have an angularly extending flange thereon, whereby said engaging arm may be resiliently deflected with respect to said locating arm and said ange cooperates to prevent substantial distortion of said back. w

14. A one-piece spring clamp formed from a strip of resilient material comprising, a substantially at back having a slot extending laterally from one side but terminating short of the opposite side thereof so as to form two substantially parallel spaced legs, a resilient substantially planar locating arm extending substantially perpendicularly outwardly from the free end of one of said legs, a resilient substantially planar engaging arm extending angularly outwardly from the free end of the other of said legs and forming an acute angle therewith, said opposite side of the back being formed with an angularly extending flange, and said locating arm, said engaging arm and said flange all extending outwardly' from-thesame-side of said back.

1.5. A wiring device comprising, an insulating support, ak terminal secured to said support to extend` outwardly therefromV in one direction, a one-piece spring having a resilient leg extending from a pointv on said support spaced from said terminal angularly outwardly from said support and toward a portion of said. terminal.v withthe free endV thereof being adjacent to said portion of saidI terminal, an opening in said support located adjacentsaid portion of said terminal so that an electrical conductor may be: inserted therethrough between said free end of said leg and said portion of said terminal, said support-- including means for maintaining said spring at'theaforesaid. position including aV wall extending. outwardly at the` aforesaid point` in spaced opposed relation to said terminal, said spring having another angled portion includingone leg seated on said support and another leg seated against said wall, said support also having outwardly extending portions at opposite sides of said spring preventing sidewise movement of the spring, and means engaging the outerl end of the leg which is seated against said wall for preventingY movement thereof away from spaced legs, said slot terminating adjacent the opposite side of said back, a locating arm extending substantially perpendicularly outwardly from the free endof Vone of said legs, an engaging arm extending angularly outwardly from the free end of the other of said legs andformingkr an acute angleV therewith, said spring clamp being cfa-size to be closely received between the arms of said wallwith said'back engaging the bight portion thereof, said locating arm engaging said support and terminating adjacent saidA terminal and the free end of said engaging arm being located adjacent said part of said terminal and spaced laterally outwardly from said support when said springy lCil is-so located'between said arms' of said wall; and'an-openf ing-in said support located so that an. electrical conductor2 may be inserted therethrough between said f ree end of,v said engaging arm and said part of saidterminah Y 17. An electrical receptacle comprising, an elongated. hollow housing formed from an insulating material,i elongated terminals located in xed relationship along spaced inner surfaces of said housing, respectively, saidv housing having at least one integral U-shaped wallformed adjacent, each terminal with one side edge engaging thef bottom ofk said housing and with the open end thereof y facing the terminal adjacent thereto, one-piece springs closely tting between the arms of each of said walls respectively, each of said springs-comprising a lirst portion seated on the bottom of said housing and extending; from the bight portionof said walls substantially totheadjacent terminal for'locating said springs betweensaidz walls to substantially prevent relative motion therebetween,. a resilientsecond portion connected to said first portion in.V

a manner to prevent the transfer of stress from one: of-

said portions to the other and having a free end located. near the, adjacent terminal, said second portion of said` spring extending angularly with relation to said terminalso as to form an acute angle therewith, and an opening:

insaid housingineach of the areas thereof betweeneach of said terminals and each of said free ends, respectively,k whereby an electrical conductor may be inserted therethrough to bev engaged by one of said free ends and itsadjacent terminal.

ReferencesrCited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,222,252 Cochran et al Nov. 19, 1940y 2,643,366 Berg June 23, 1953 2,671,204 Hubbell Mar. 2, 1954-A 2,705,785 Benander Apr. 5, 1955, 2,705,737 Benander Apr. 5, 1955 2,713,668v Gibilisco July 19, 1955 2,720,634 Hart Oct. 11, 1955l 2,738,482 Benander Mar. 13, 19564 2,743,427v Boardman Apr. 24, 1956 2,748,363v Despard May 29, 1956y 2,753,538 Carlson July 3, 1956*-

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