CA1056928A - Electrical connector with non-deformable flexible fluidtight casing - Google Patents
Electrical connector with non-deformable flexible fluidtight casingInfo
- Publication number
- CA1056928A CA1056928A CA272,850A CA272850A CA1056928A CA 1056928 A CA1056928 A CA 1056928A CA 272850 A CA272850 A CA 272850A CA 1056928 A CA1056928 A CA 1056928A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- end wall
- chamber
- clamping
- electrical
- electrical connector
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Landscapes
- Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
Abstract
ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An electrical connector comprises a body defining a chamber. Electrical elements are carried by an insulating part located in said chamber. The body has an integral molded con-struction of resilient material and includes a generally tubular portion. An opening is provided in the end wall for an electrical cable to extend therethrough into the chamber for connection with the electrical elements. A clamp means is provided for clamping the electrical cable prior to its entry into the chamber. The clamp means comprises a clamp part and means for securing the clamp part to the insulating part. Threaded fasteners are provided which extend into threaded engagement with the clamp part. The electrical connector has means for preventing an axial compressive clamping of the body between the insulating part and the clamp part. This means comprises a portion of one of the parts for engaging the other of the parts and blocking engagement of the other of the parts with the body so that a compressive action does not occur to the body which would cause bulging thereof.
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An electrical connector comprises a body defining a chamber. Electrical elements are carried by an insulating part located in said chamber. The body has an integral molded con-struction of resilient material and includes a generally tubular portion. An opening is provided in the end wall for an electrical cable to extend therethrough into the chamber for connection with the electrical elements. A clamp means is provided for clamping the electrical cable prior to its entry into the chamber. The clamp means comprises a clamp part and means for securing the clamp part to the insulating part. Threaded fasteners are provided which extend into threaded engagement with the clamp part. The electrical connector has means for preventing an axial compressive clamping of the body between the insulating part and the clamp part. This means comprises a portion of one of the parts for engaging the other of the parts and blocking engagement of the other of the parts with the body so that a compressive action does not occur to the body which would cause bulging thereof.
Description
l(~S~
Back~round of the Invention This invention relates to industrial-type electrical cable connectors and, in particular, to those connectors having three basic elements: (1) a rigid insulating part which carries the electrical terminals; (2) a flex- -ible fluidtight casing which encircles the cable and isolates the electrical terminals from foreign matters; and (3) a clamping part to secure the cable and which is in turn secured to the part carrying the terminals.
A problem with connectors of the above type centers around the flexible casing. A flexible casing is fairly elastic, which elasticity provides a lo high quality seal. This deformation especially occurs upon assembly. When -the rigid terminal carrying part is positioned in the chamber defined by the elastic casing and secured with screws to the clamping part, the end wall of the casing, which is intermediate the terminal insert part and clamping part, is subjected to axial compressive forces which cause radial expansion of the external cylindrical surface of the casing. This bulging, or radial expan- ;
sion, is undesirable, as it prohibits the placing of two connectors side by side in the standard dual receptacle, due to interference. A previous attempt to solve this problem included the use of fasteners to secure the clamp part and terminal part together and which slip at a point prior to the bulging of ... ~, .
the rubber casing. This requires a special fastener construction and is costly.
Summary of the Invention :, The present invention solves the previously described problem without sacrificing any effectiveness of the fastening means and, at the same time, incorporates industrial simplicity and practicality. The undesirable com-pression of the rubber casing is prevented by the extension of molded sleeves from the clamp part through holes in the rubber casing end wall. In a pre-~' ferred embodiment of the invention, these sleeves are integrally molded with .~ the clamp part. The screws which secure the terminal insert to the connec-tors are threaded into the sleeves, fastening the three component parts se-.
3~ curely together at a set distance apart. No bulging of the casing occurs because the innermost surface of the terminal insert contacts the sleeves which act as a stop to prevent engagement of the terminal insert part with the .-'' ~
Back~round of the Invention This invention relates to industrial-type electrical cable connectors and, in particular, to those connectors having three basic elements: (1) a rigid insulating part which carries the electrical terminals; (2) a flex- -ible fluidtight casing which encircles the cable and isolates the electrical terminals from foreign matters; and (3) a clamping part to secure the cable and which is in turn secured to the part carrying the terminals.
A problem with connectors of the above type centers around the flexible casing. A flexible casing is fairly elastic, which elasticity provides a lo high quality seal. This deformation especially occurs upon assembly. When -the rigid terminal carrying part is positioned in the chamber defined by the elastic casing and secured with screws to the clamping part, the end wall of the casing, which is intermediate the terminal insert part and clamping part, is subjected to axial compressive forces which cause radial expansion of the external cylindrical surface of the casing. This bulging, or radial expan- ;
sion, is undesirable, as it prohibits the placing of two connectors side by side in the standard dual receptacle, due to interference. A previous attempt to solve this problem included the use of fasteners to secure the clamp part and terminal part together and which slip at a point prior to the bulging of ... ~, .
the rubber casing. This requires a special fastener construction and is costly.
Summary of the Invention :, The present invention solves the previously described problem without sacrificing any effectiveness of the fastening means and, at the same time, incorporates industrial simplicity and practicality. The undesirable com-pression of the rubber casing is prevented by the extension of molded sleeves from the clamp part through holes in the rubber casing end wall. In a pre-~' ferred embodiment of the invention, these sleeves are integrally molded with .~ the clamp part. The screws which secure the terminal insert to the connec-tors are threaded into the sleeves, fastening the three component parts se-.
3~ curely together at a set distance apart. No bulging of the casing occurs because the innermost surface of the terminal insert contacts the sleeves which act as a stop to prevent engagement of the terminal insert part with the .-'' ~
- 2 -. ~ .
11~569Z8 rubber casing, and thus prevent any compression of the rubber casing.
An alternative method of accomplishing the same object is to attach the sleeves to the terminal insert part, preferably by integrally molding them with the insert. The screws, which enter the connector from the external surface of the terminal insert, then pass freely through the sleeves and are threaded into the clamping part. In both cases, the sleeves rigidly posi-tion the terminal insert a set distance from the clamping part and prohibit any compression of the casing end wall.
The innovative plastic sleeves, extending from either the clamping part of the terminal insert part, are narrow rigid cylinders which retain the screws (preferably self-tapping) and tunnel through the openings in the casing. Preferably, the sleeves are formed integrally with the clamping part and together they comprise a one-piece molded part.
The resilient elastic casing consists of two basic portions namely:
~` ~1) a generally tubular portion defining a chamber in which the electrical elements are located, and ~2) an end wall closing one end of the tubular chamber and providing expansible fluidtight seal encircling a cable entrance into the chamber. Due to its resilient elastic nature, cables of different diameters can be received through the end wall.
A clamp arrangement is provided to secure the cable prior to its entry into the chamber. The clamping arrangement includes the previously-mentioned clamping bracket, two gripping elements, and two fasteners. The clamping bracket is an annulus of molded plastic having on one axial side a pair of diametrically positioned protrusions and on the opposite axial side are the previously noted sleeves. The gripping elements are fastened to each side of the protrusions to secure the cable.
According to the present invention then there is provided an electrical connector having a body defining a chamber and including an end ~` wall closing one end of the body. Electrical elements are carried by an insulating part which is located in the chamber. The body has an integral molded construction of resilient , B
- .
l(~5S~Z8 material and includes a generally tubular portion. An opening is provided in one end wall for an electrical cable to extend therethrough into the chamber for connection with the electrical elements. The end wall is pro- ~`
vided with a portion which defines an opening effecting a fluid tight sealing engagement with the cable. A plurality of longitudinally extending sleeve openings are provided in the end wall. Clamp means are provided for clamping the electrical cable prior to its entry into the chamber, and including a clamp part. Threaded fasteners are provided which extend into threaded engagement with the clamp part and secure the clamp part to the insulating part. The electrical connector has a plurality of sleeves ex-tending from one of the parts for engaging the other of the parts and blocking compressive engagement of the other of the parts with the body so that compressive action does not occur to the body which would cause bulging thereof. The sleeves are of uniform cross-sectional dimension . .
throughout their extent and are removably slidably received in sleeve receiving openings in the end wall.
Description of the Figures Further features of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which it relates from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment made with reference to the accompany-ing drawings in which:
Figure 1 is an exploded view of an electrical connector embodying the invention; and Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled connector.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment The present invention provides an electrical connector of improved construction and, particularly, provides an electrical connector having - means for preventing an axial clamping of a tubular flexible casing between the terminal insert and a cable clamping part. The means which prevents the axial clamping comprises plastic sleeves integrally molded to either the clamping bracket or terminal insert part, and which block any compressive ~,. . - .
105~Z8 action on said tubular flexible body which would result in bulging thereof.
Illustrated in Figure 1 are the separated component parts which comprise the connector of the present invention. As illustrated, the con-nector comprises a support body or molded casing 10 which comprises a generally tubular portion 11 and an end wall 12. The external surface of the tubular portion 11 is generally cylindrical, but does include an en-circling indentation llA which roughly corresponds to the area where the end ` -.
~.
` - 4a -~. . . - .
. , .
1~5~
wall 12, a relatively narrow di~c, is integrally molded to the tubular portion 11.
The tubular portion 11 defines a chamber 13 in which a ~ -terminal insert 14 i~ received. The chamber 13 is terminated by the end wall 12, which has a thin, highly elastic portion 27 at its center defining an opening 15 therethrough. An electrical cable 16 extends through the opening 15 and into the chamber 13 ; for connection with the electrical elements of the terminal part 14, as is well known. Due to the flexibility and resiliency of the portion 27 of the end wall 12, a fluidtight seal en-compasses the cable 16.
The insert 14 has a portion 14A which is received in a groove 14B formed in the inner wall 13A defining chamber 13.
The groove 14B provides for proper positioning of the terminal insert 14 in the chamber 13 during assembly so holes 18 in the terminal insert 14 are aligned with holes 21 in the end wall 12.
; Due to the seal around the insert 14 provided by chamber 13 `~ and the seal around cable 16 provided by portion 27 of the end . wall 12, the electrical elements of the insert 14 are substan- -tially isolated from foreign matter that may be in the vicinity of the connector. As a result, the connector 10 is particularly adaptable for ind~strial use, since foreign matter, such as oil, which may be in the vicinity, is effectively isolated from the `~ electrical elements of insert 14.
: .
The present ~n~ention includes the use of sleeves 19 which penetrate the end wall 12 through holes 21 when screws 17 secure the terminal insert 14 to the clamping bracket 20.
``~ Sleeves 19 may be integrally molded to either the clamping bracket (as shown in Fig. 1) or to the terminal insert. In either case, the sleeves extend through the end wall 12.
` Due to the seal around the insert 14 provided by chamber 13 and the seal around cable 16 provided by portion 27 of the end c~ .
1(~5~Z8 wall 12, the electrical elements of the insert 14 are substan-tially isolated from foreign matter that may~be in the vicinity of the connector. As a result, the connector 10 is particularly adaptable for industrial use, since foreign matter, such as oil, which ma~ be in the vicinity, is effectively isolated from the electrical elements of insert 14.
The present invention includes the use of sleeves 19 which penetrate the end wall 12 through holes 21 when screws 17 secure the terminal insert 14 to the clamping bracket 20. Sleeves 19 may be integrally molded to either the clamping bracket (as shown in Fig. 1) or to the terminal insert. In éither case, the sleeves extend through the end wall 12.
~As best shown in Figure 2, the sleeves 19 have a length -- such that the terminal insert part 14 engages the outer end sur-face l9A of the sleeves without forcefully engaging the adjacent -~urace of the tubular casing 10. As a result, compressive forces are not applied to the casing and lateral bulging of the material of the casing does not occur. Accordingly, two con-nectors of the present invention can be used in a dual electrical receptacle without interferences.
The clamping bracket 20, shown in Figure 1, consists of an annular body 28 with thè sleeves 19 extending to the left and rectangular protrusions 22 extending to the right providing means for mounting semicircular clamping elements 25. Screws 24, preferably self-tapping, secure the clamping elements 25 around the cable 16 so as to prohibit movement of the cable after as-sembly. The semicircular indentation 26 in the clamping bracket ao is designed to engage the protrusion 26A in the body 10, `thereby providing for proper positioning of the clamping bracket 10 into the body 10 during assembly.
.
11~569Z8 rubber casing, and thus prevent any compression of the rubber casing.
An alternative method of accomplishing the same object is to attach the sleeves to the terminal insert part, preferably by integrally molding them with the insert. The screws, which enter the connector from the external surface of the terminal insert, then pass freely through the sleeves and are threaded into the clamping part. In both cases, the sleeves rigidly posi-tion the terminal insert a set distance from the clamping part and prohibit any compression of the casing end wall.
The innovative plastic sleeves, extending from either the clamping part of the terminal insert part, are narrow rigid cylinders which retain the screws (preferably self-tapping) and tunnel through the openings in the casing. Preferably, the sleeves are formed integrally with the clamping part and together they comprise a one-piece molded part.
The resilient elastic casing consists of two basic portions namely:
~` ~1) a generally tubular portion defining a chamber in which the electrical elements are located, and ~2) an end wall closing one end of the tubular chamber and providing expansible fluidtight seal encircling a cable entrance into the chamber. Due to its resilient elastic nature, cables of different diameters can be received through the end wall.
A clamp arrangement is provided to secure the cable prior to its entry into the chamber. The clamping arrangement includes the previously-mentioned clamping bracket, two gripping elements, and two fasteners. The clamping bracket is an annulus of molded plastic having on one axial side a pair of diametrically positioned protrusions and on the opposite axial side are the previously noted sleeves. The gripping elements are fastened to each side of the protrusions to secure the cable.
According to the present invention then there is provided an electrical connector having a body defining a chamber and including an end ~` wall closing one end of the body. Electrical elements are carried by an insulating part which is located in the chamber. The body has an integral molded construction of resilient , B
- .
l(~5S~Z8 material and includes a generally tubular portion. An opening is provided in one end wall for an electrical cable to extend therethrough into the chamber for connection with the electrical elements. The end wall is pro- ~`
vided with a portion which defines an opening effecting a fluid tight sealing engagement with the cable. A plurality of longitudinally extending sleeve openings are provided in the end wall. Clamp means are provided for clamping the electrical cable prior to its entry into the chamber, and including a clamp part. Threaded fasteners are provided which extend into threaded engagement with the clamp part and secure the clamp part to the insulating part. The electrical connector has a plurality of sleeves ex-tending from one of the parts for engaging the other of the parts and blocking compressive engagement of the other of the parts with the body so that compressive action does not occur to the body which would cause bulging thereof. The sleeves are of uniform cross-sectional dimension . .
throughout their extent and are removably slidably received in sleeve receiving openings in the end wall.
Description of the Figures Further features of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which it relates from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment made with reference to the accompany-ing drawings in which:
Figure 1 is an exploded view of an electrical connector embodying the invention; and Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled connector.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment The present invention provides an electrical connector of improved construction and, particularly, provides an electrical connector having - means for preventing an axial clamping of a tubular flexible casing between the terminal insert and a cable clamping part. The means which prevents the axial clamping comprises plastic sleeves integrally molded to either the clamping bracket or terminal insert part, and which block any compressive ~,. . - .
105~Z8 action on said tubular flexible body which would result in bulging thereof.
Illustrated in Figure 1 are the separated component parts which comprise the connector of the present invention. As illustrated, the con-nector comprises a support body or molded casing 10 which comprises a generally tubular portion 11 and an end wall 12. The external surface of the tubular portion 11 is generally cylindrical, but does include an en-circling indentation llA which roughly corresponds to the area where the end ` -.
~.
` - 4a -~. . . - .
. , .
1~5~
wall 12, a relatively narrow di~c, is integrally molded to the tubular portion 11.
The tubular portion 11 defines a chamber 13 in which a ~ -terminal insert 14 i~ received. The chamber 13 is terminated by the end wall 12, which has a thin, highly elastic portion 27 at its center defining an opening 15 therethrough. An electrical cable 16 extends through the opening 15 and into the chamber 13 ; for connection with the electrical elements of the terminal part 14, as is well known. Due to the flexibility and resiliency of the portion 27 of the end wall 12, a fluidtight seal en-compasses the cable 16.
The insert 14 has a portion 14A which is received in a groove 14B formed in the inner wall 13A defining chamber 13.
The groove 14B provides for proper positioning of the terminal insert 14 in the chamber 13 during assembly so holes 18 in the terminal insert 14 are aligned with holes 21 in the end wall 12.
; Due to the seal around the insert 14 provided by chamber 13 `~ and the seal around cable 16 provided by portion 27 of the end . wall 12, the electrical elements of the insert 14 are substan- -tially isolated from foreign matter that may be in the vicinity of the connector. As a result, the connector 10 is particularly adaptable for ind~strial use, since foreign matter, such as oil, which may be in the vicinity, is effectively isolated from the `~ electrical elements of insert 14.
: .
The present ~n~ention includes the use of sleeves 19 which penetrate the end wall 12 through holes 21 when screws 17 secure the terminal insert 14 to the clamping bracket 20.
``~ Sleeves 19 may be integrally molded to either the clamping bracket (as shown in Fig. 1) or to the terminal insert. In either case, the sleeves extend through the end wall 12.
` Due to the seal around the insert 14 provided by chamber 13 and the seal around cable 16 provided by portion 27 of the end c~ .
1(~5~Z8 wall 12, the electrical elements of the insert 14 are substan-tially isolated from foreign matter that may~be in the vicinity of the connector. As a result, the connector 10 is particularly adaptable for industrial use, since foreign matter, such as oil, which ma~ be in the vicinity, is effectively isolated from the electrical elements of insert 14.
The present invention includes the use of sleeves 19 which penetrate the end wall 12 through holes 21 when screws 17 secure the terminal insert 14 to the clamping bracket 20. Sleeves 19 may be integrally molded to either the clamping bracket (as shown in Fig. 1) or to the terminal insert. In éither case, the sleeves extend through the end wall 12.
~As best shown in Figure 2, the sleeves 19 have a length -- such that the terminal insert part 14 engages the outer end sur-face l9A of the sleeves without forcefully engaging the adjacent -~urace of the tubular casing 10. As a result, compressive forces are not applied to the casing and lateral bulging of the material of the casing does not occur. Accordingly, two con-nectors of the present invention can be used in a dual electrical receptacle without interferences.
The clamping bracket 20, shown in Figure 1, consists of an annular body 28 with thè sleeves 19 extending to the left and rectangular protrusions 22 extending to the right providing means for mounting semicircular clamping elements 25. Screws 24, preferably self-tapping, secure the clamping elements 25 around the cable 16 so as to prohibit movement of the cable after as-sembly. The semicircular indentation 26 in the clamping bracket ao is designed to engage the protrusion 26A in the body 10, `thereby providing for proper positioning of the clamping bracket 10 into the body 10 during assembly.
.
Claims (5)
1. An electrical connector comprising a body defining a chamber having an end wall closing one end of said body, elec-trical elements carried by an insulating part located in said chamber, said body having an integral molded construction of resilient material and including a generally tubular portion, means defining an opening in said end wall for an electrical cable to extend therethrough into said chamber for connection with said electrical elements, said end wall having a portion defining said opening and which has a fluid tight sealing engagement with said cable, a plurality of longitudinally extending sleeve receiving openings in said end wall, clamp means for clamping said electrical cable prior to its entry into said chamber, said clamp means comprising a clamp part and means for securing said clamp part to said insulating part, said means comprising threaded fasteners which extend into threaded engagement with said clamp part, said electrical connector having means for preventing an axial compressive clamping of said body between said insulating part and said clamp part, and said means comprising a plurality of sleeves extending from one of said parts for end wall penetrating move-ment into said sleeve receiving openings and for engaging the other of said parts and blocking compressive engagement of the other of said parts with said body so that a compressive action does not occur to said body which would cause bulging thereof, said sleeves being of uniform cross-sectional dimension throughout their extent and being removably slidably received in said sleeve receiving openings.
2. An electrical connector as defined in claim 1 wherein said sleeves and clamp part are a one-piece integrally formed plastic part.
3. An electrical connector as defined in claim 2 wherein said sleeves have openings therein for receiving said respective fasteners.
4. An electrical connector comprising, a casing defining a chamber for receiving a terminal insert, said casing having an integral molded flexible construction and including a generally tubular portion and an end wall closing one end of said tubular portion, means defining an opening in said end wall for an electrical cable to extend therethrough into said chamber for connection with the electrical elements contained in the terminal insert, said end wall having a portion defining said opening and which has a fluid tight sealing engagement with said cable, a plurality of longitudinally extending sleeve receiving openings in said end wall, a clamping attachment consisting of a clamping bracket having mounting plates projecting from an external surface of said bracket and which accommodate clamping-parts which secure the electrical cable prior to its entry into said chamber, a fastening means for securing clamping parts together in clamping engagement with said cable, sleeve elements slidably removably positioned in said end wall intermediate said clamping bracket and said terminal insert and integrally molded with at least one of said bracket and said insert to prohibit any compression of said end wall of said casing thereby preventing radial expansion of the external surface of said casing, said sleeve elements being of uniform cross-sectional dimension throughout their extent.
5. An electrical connection as defined in claim 4 wherein said element are integrally molded to said clamping bracket and have openings for receiving fasteners for securing said clamping bracket to said terminal insert.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA272,850A CA1056928A (en) | 1977-02-28 | 1977-02-28 | Electrical connector with non-deformable flexible fluidtight casing |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA272,850A CA1056928A (en) | 1977-02-28 | 1977-02-28 | Electrical connector with non-deformable flexible fluidtight casing |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1056928A true CA1056928A (en) | 1979-06-19 |
Family
ID=4108041
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA272,850A Expired CA1056928A (en) | 1977-02-28 | 1977-02-28 | Electrical connector with non-deformable flexible fluidtight casing |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1056928A (en) |
-
1977
- 1977-02-28 CA CA272,850A patent/CA1056928A/en not_active Expired
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