TERMINAL JUNCTION SYSTEM
TECHNICAL FIELD
[003] The invention generally relates to a terminal junction. More particularly, the present invention relates to a terminal junction system including a metal clip part with lances engulfed in a plastic housing with sealing members and a locking mechanism.
BACKGROUND
[002] With an advent of solid state circuitry in electronics design and components, small scale terminal junctions arc finding increasing use.
[003] The present terminal junction system involves manufacturing process such as crimping, rolling and the likes to assemble various parts of said system. The execution of crimping and rolling process utilizes specially designed machines for proper assembling and functioning of the entire system. Further, the set up times for these machines are very high that results in complex producing mechanism for the entire assembly line. In addition, the repeatability of the crimping and rolling process does not remain consistent and therefore results in dissimilarity in the outputs and further reduces product stability. Further, the plurality of parts makes the terminal junction system more complex, bulky, and hence requires highly calibrated machines and tools.
[004] In addition, one or more parts in the present available terminal systems involve rotational and axial movements, which require special tools for locking.
[005] Therefore, there is an unmet need for an invention which may overcome the aforementioned drawbacks.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[006] One object of the present invention is to provide a terminal junction system having a simple assembly with fewer components in place thereof.
[007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a lighter terminal junction system with a locking mechanism by use of a clip.
[008] Yet another object of the present invention is to prevent one or more parts of the terminal junction system from rotational and axial movements without utilizing special tolls for locking.
[009] Yet another object of the present invention is to eradicate the rolling and crimping mechanism for assembling the terminal junction system.
[0010] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide interchangeable identical sealing caps.
[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a metal clip in the terminal junction system that performs the function of both contact retention and contact separation and may be further utilized in grounding and wiring integration devices.
[0012] Yet another object of the invention to provide a method to assemble the terminal junction system with fewer components, reduced set up time, and prevention of glue seepage in the clip area.
[0013] Yet another object of the present invention is to eliminate centering issues of junction pipe.
[0014] These and other aspects as well as advantages will be more clearly understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:
[0015] To further clarify advantages and aspects of the invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings, which are listed below for quick reference.
[0016] Figure 1 illustrates a prior art,
[0017] Figure 2 illustrates a terminal junction apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
[0018] Figure 3 illustrates cross-sectional view of the assembly with first locking point in the terminal junction apparatus, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention,
[0019] Figure 4 illustrates sectional views of a clip of the terminal junction apparatus, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention,
[0020] Figure 5 illustrates sectional views of an inserting member of the terminal junction apparatus, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, and
[0021] Figure 6 illustrates sectional views of a sealing cap of the terminal junction apparatus, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] It may be noted that to the extent possible, like reference numerals have been used to represent like elements in the drawings. Further, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have been necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the drawings may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve

understanding of aspects of the invention. Furthermore, the one or more elements may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] Jt should be understood at the outset that although illustrative implementations of the embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated below, the present invention may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or in existence.
[0024] The term "some" as used herein is defined as "none, or one, or more than one, or all." Accordingly, the terms "none," "one," "more than one," "more than one, but not all" or "all" would all fall under the definition of "some." The term "some embodiments" may refer to no embodiments or to one embodiment or to several embodiments or to all embodiments.
[0025] Accordingly, the term "some embodiments" is defined as meaning "no embodiment, or one embodiment, or more than one embodiment, or all embodiments." The terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and does not limit, restrict or reduce the spirit and scope of the claims or their equivalents.
[0026] More specifically, any terms used herein such as but not limited to "includes," "comprises," "has," "consists," and grammatical variants thereof do NOT specify an exact limitation or restriction and certainly do NOT exclude the possible addition of one or more features or elements, unless otherwise stated, and furthermore must NOT be taken to exclude the possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated with the limiting language "MUST comprise" or "NEEDS TO include."

[0027] Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, either way it may still be referred to as "one or more features" or "one or more elements" or "at least one feature" or "at least one element." Furthermore, the use of the terms "one or more" or "at least one" feature or element do NOT preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language such as "there NEEDS to be one or more ..." or "one or more element is REQUIRED."
[0028] Unless otherwise defined, all terms, and especially any technical and/or scientific terms, used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having an ordinary skill in the art.
[0029] Reference is made herein to some "embodiments." It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements presented in the attached claims. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of illuminating one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the attached claims fulfill the requirements of uniqueness, utility and non-obviousness.
[0030] Use of the phrases and/or terms such as but not limited to "a first embodiment," "a further embodiment," "an alternate embodiment," "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "multiple embodiments," "some embodiments," "other embodiments," "further embodiment", "furthermore embodiment", "additional embodiment" or variants thereof do NOT necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in ail embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or alternatively in the context of more than one embodiment, or further alternatively in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any

features and/or elements described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.
[0031 ] Figure 1 illustrates a prior art.
[0032] As shown, the terminal junction system 100 comprises a metal tube 102, a central sleeve 104, plurality of metal clips (106a, 106b), a first sealing cap 108, a second sealing cap 110, a first locking junction 112, a second locking junction 114, and plurality of contact areas (116a, 116b).
[0033] The metal tube 102 is a variably length long tube. The plurality of metal clips (106a, 106b) is housed inside the metal tube 102. Further, the plurality of metal clips (106a, 106b) is separated from each other by means of a central sleeve 104. Further, the metal tube 102 and the central sleeve 104 are retained together by way of crimping from the upper part of the central sleeve 104. In an embodiment, the crimping allows retaining the central sleeve 104 in the metal tube 102. Further locking mechanism (a first locking junction 112, a second locking junction 114) by way of rolling, is provided at the end points of the lower part oi^ the metal clips (106a, 106b). This locking (a first locking junction 112, a second locking junction 114) prevents the plurality of metal clips (106a, 106b) to come out of the metal tube 102. Hence, the locking mechanism enables the assembly to remain intact. The process of crimping is performed at the lower part of the plurality of metal clips (106a, 106b) to provide a line contact between the plurality of metal clips (106a, 106b) and the metal tube 102.Further, the system comprises of the first sealing cap 108, and the second sealing cap 110. These scaling caps 108, 110 are of different configuration and cannot be used interchangeably and are used on each side of the metal tube 102 and further secured with the help of glue.
[0034] In an embodiment of the stated prior art the metal tube 102 may be bent at a pre-determined angle, so that the plurality of sealing caps 108, 110 remains intact with the assembly. Further, first locking point 112 may correspond to a heavy depression point; a second locking point 1 14 may correspond to a relatively lower depression point.

[0035] The above description suggests that the system involves several disintegrated parts and plurality of processes is required to assemble all the disintegrated parts together. Hence, the aforementioned described system requires heavy calibrated machines, tooling, and results in more expense.
[0036] Figure 2 illustrates a terminal junction apparatus 200, in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention.
[0037] The system 200 comprises a plastic tube 202, a metal clip 204, a first locking point 206, a second locking point 208, and plurality of identical sealing caps (210). The plastic tube 202 may be of variable length and may be of a different material.
[0038] In an embodiment, the metal clip 204 is provided with a locking mechanism. The first locking point 206 for a clip 212 located at an upper part of the metal clip 204 and one or more grooves in the plastic tube 202, prevents the rotational movement of the metal clip 204 and further prevents the axial movement of the metal clip 204. Further, the prevention of the rotational and axial movement of the metal clip 204 which may be achieved without tooling and/or additional machinery for locking and hence results in cost and weight reductions.
[0039] In an embodiment, the second locking point 208 located at the lower part of the metal clip 204, prevents an axial movement of the metal clip 204 so that it does not come out of the plastic tube 202. Further, the entire locking mechanism that retains the assembly intact docs not require special purpose machines and/or tooling and hence reduces the cost and maintenance. Further, it reduces the weight of the entire system and provides an electric conductivity by providing a contact separator. In an embodiment, the metal clip 204 provides an electrical continuity between the separated contacts on either side with the help of lances. Further, the lances are located at the center of the metal clip 204.
[0040] In an embodiment of the present invention, the plastic tube 202 is bonded on the edges with the plurality of similar sealing caps 210. These sealing caps 210 may be interchangeably used at any of the sides. Further, this reduces the cost for sealing caps.

[0041] In yet another embodiment, there may be several grooves and slots in the entire assembly, to prevent the axial and rotational movement of the metal elip 204. Further, the clip may be inclined at a pre-determined angle from a longitudinal axis of the metal clip.
[0042] Figure 3 illustrates cross-sectional view of the assembly with first locking point in the terminal junction apparatus, in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention.
[0043] There is shown an assembly 300 with a self-locking mechanism of the clip 212 to lock with the plastic tube 202. In an event when the plastic tube 202 is moved inward or outward, then the clip 212 moves automatically inside the groove present in the plastic tube 202 and gets locked and therefore prevents the further movement of the metal clip 204.
[0044] Figure 4 illustrates sectional views 400 of a clip of the terminal junction apparatus, in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention.
[0045] As shown in Figure 4, the clip 212 may be inclined at a pre-determined angle. The angle may be such that the clip 212 may be smoothly fitted in the groove without any tension and pressure. Further, pre-estimated locking force is required to fit the metal clip 204 in the groove, to enable the locking mechanism.
[0046] Figure 5 illustrates sectional views 500 of an inserting member of the terminal junction apparatus, in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention.
[0047] As shown in figure 5, the projection 502 on the clip 212 gets locked with the groove or slot on the plastic tube 202 to provide the self-locking mechanism. The shown projection is for an exemplary purpose and does not limit the scope of the invention.
[0048] Figure 6 illustrates sectional views 600 of a sealing cap of the terminal junction apparatus, in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention.

[0049] In an embodiment, there is shown one of a sealing cap of the plurality of similar sealing caps 210. The plurality of sealing caps 210 may be interchangeably used and are utilized to provide a cover to the entire assembly and ensures sealing requirements. The sealing caps may be overlaid on the plastic tube from either of the directions. In an exemplary embodiment, the sealing caps 210 may be of rubber or/and similar material. The material may possess several properties, such as temperature resistance, elasticity and alike.
[0050] In an embodiment of the present invention, the metal clip may be inserted in a plastic tube 202. Thereafter, plurality of sealing caps 210 is glued on either sides of the plastic tube 202 of the terminal junction system and performs the function of both contact retention and contact separation.
[0051] In an embodiment, there is provided a method for providing a locking mechanism in a terminal junction assembly to position a metal clip inside a tube such that one or more clips of a metal clip mate with one or more grooves in the plastic tube to enable locking.
[0052] While certain present preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto and can be practiced within the scope oi^ the present invention. The features and functions of the system, as well as alternative embodiments disclosed herein may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements may be made by those skilled in the art, each of which is also intended to be encompassed by the disclosed embodiments and claims.

WE CLAIM:
1. A terminal junction assembly comprising:
a tube;
a metal clip;
a clip adapted to slide inside a groove at a first locking point;
a second locking point; and
a plurality of sealing caps.
2. A locking system comprising:
a metal clip including one or more clips; a plastic tube including one or more grooves;
wherein said clip(s) are adapted to mate with said groove(s) to prevent an axial and/or rotational movement of a metal clip.
3. The locking system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the clip is inclined at a pre-determined angle from a longitudinal axis of said metal clip.
4. A method for providing a locking mechanism in a terminal junction assembly, said method comprising:
positioning a metal clip inside a tube such that one or more clips of a metal clip mate with one or more grooves in the plastic tube to enable locking.