GB2124723A

GB2124723A - Field-assembled connector fitting for a stranded cable

Info

Publication number: GB2124723A
Application number: GB08224636A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Eugene C Lipshield
Original assignee: Orscheln Co
Current assignee: Orscheln Co
Priority date: 1982-08-02
Filing date: 1982-08-27
Publication date: 1984-02-22
Also published as: NL8203426A; ZA826569B; BR8207616A; BE894911A; JPS5929811A; AU8777282A; CA1172717A; FR2531281A1; IT8268171A0

Abstract

An improved field-assembled fitting (22) is disclosed for use in connection with a cable (2) having a stranded inner cable member (6) and an outer conduit member (4). The fitting (22) includes a cylindrical portion (24) containing a longitudinal bore (26) for receiving the stranded inner cable member, and a pair of longitudinally- spaced parallel transverse bores (28, 30) that extend radially inwardly in opposite directions toward and in communication with the longitudinal bore (26). Retained within the transverse bores by a concentrically arranged outer sleeve member (36) are a pair of locking members (32, 34), respectively, each having an effective dimension axially of the associated transverse bore to deform an intermediate portion of the stranded inner member into a recess (28a, 30a) contained in the wall of the longitudinal bore opposite the associated transverse bore. An anchoring assembly (8) serves to mount the outer conduit member in an opening contained in a fixed support, the inner cable member then being cut to a desired length prior to fastening of the fitting thereon during field assembly of the cable. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Field-assembled strand fitting and cable assembly Brief description of the prior art Various types of fittings and electrical connectors are known in the prior art for connection with a deformed portion of a stranded cable member, electrical conductor or the like, as disclosed, for example, by the prior U.S. patents to Miller et al No.

2,259,261, Neilly No. 2,008,227 and Everett No.

2,901,983. Of interest also are the patents to Wickert No. 1,693,359 and Senior No. 2,917,569.

Moreover, as evidenced by the Gordy et al patent No. RE.30,850 -- which is assignd to the same assignee as the instant invention -- it is known to provide fittings for mounting the outer conduit member of a parking brake cable assembly within a fixed support, such as the dashboard or fire wall of a motor vehicle.

In order to reduce the replacement inventory required for servicing large numbers of diverse types of motor vehicles over a period of time, it has been proposed to develop a cable assembly that may be easily and inexpensively custom-fitted in the field for installation on any number of types of motor vehicles with the use of simple readily-available tools.

Summary of the invention Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a fitting that is adapted for rigid connection with a stranded inner cable member, which fitting includes a cylindrical portion containing a longitudinal bore for receiving the stranded inner member, and a pair of longitudinallyspaced parallel transverse bores extending normal to, and in communication with, said longitudinal bore, a pair of locking members being retained in the transverse bores by a concentrically mounted outer retaining or locking sleeve, thereby to deform portions of the stranded inner member into corresponding locking recesses contained in the wall of the longitudinal bore.

According to a more specific object of the invention, the locking members are balls each having a diameter greater than the difference between the radius of the fitting cylindrical portion and the radius of the longitudinal bore, whereby portions of the stranded inner member are deformed into the locking recesses, which recesses are arranged opposite the transverse bores, respectively.

According to a further object of the invention, the longitudinal bore may extend either completely through a cylindrical fitting body, or it may extend longitudinally within a cylindrical portion arranged at one end of the fitting body. In a first modification, the other end of the fitting body may include an externally threaded cylindrical portion adapted for connection with the parking brake mechanism, or a swaged eye portion.

According to another object of the invention, the outer conduit member is mounted by an anchoring assembly within an opening contained in a fixed support, biasing spring means being arranged concentrically about the stranded inner member between the anchoring assembly and a spring retainer connected with the inner member, thereby to bias the inner member axially in the brake-released direction relative to the outer conduit member.

Owing to this arrangement and location of the spring biasing means, the cable assembly is adapted for retrofit field assembly for various types and sizes of motor vehicles. More particularly, during the field assembly of the apparatus, the outer conduit member is cut to length, the anchoring assembly is connected adjacent one end thereof, whereupon the anchoring assembly is mounted in an opening contained in a fixed support. The stranded inner cable member is introduced within the conduit and is cut to a desired length, whereupon the biasing spring is mounted concentrically upon the inner member with the appropriate tension (as determined by the adjustable longitudinal setting of the spring stop or retainer).The inner cable member is then introduced with the longitudinal bore of the fitting, the locking balls are introduced into the transverse bores to deform portions of the inner member into the corresponding locking recess, where upon the locking sleeve is mounted concentrically about the cylindrical portion of the fitting to maintain the locking members in place.

Brief description of the drawing Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, when viewed in the light of the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure lisa longitudinal section view of the field-assembled cable and fitting assembly of the present invention, Figures 2 and 3 are side elevation and end views, respectively, of the tolerance ring used in the assembly of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a partially sectional view of second fitting embodiment; Figure is a partially sectioned exploded view illustrating the manner of assembly a further fitting embodiment; Figure 6 is a detailed view of a modification of the apparatus of Figure 1, using an alternate spring retainer device; and Figure 7 is a front elevational view of the spring retainer device of Figure 6.

Detailed description Referring now to Figure 1, the cable 2 includes a tubular outer conducit member 4 and a stranded inner member 6, as is common, for example, in the parking brake cable art. The outer conduit member includes an outer resilient sheathing layer 4a of suitable synthetic plastic material, a helically wound metal layer 4b, and a synthetic plastic core layer 4c.

Mounted concentrically about the outer cable member 4 adjacent the free end thereof is an axially split tolerance ring 5 formed of metal and having a plurality of peripherally spaced radially outwardly extending projections 5a. Mounted in force-fit relation concentrically about the tolerance ring is an anchoring assembly 8 for mounting the outer con duit within an opening contained in a fixed support 10.

Connected with the stranded inner member 6 in spaced relation adjacent the anchoring assembly 8 is a spring retainer 12 having a longitudinal bore 14 through which the inner member extends, and a threaded transverse bore'. 6 in which is threadably mounted a self-tapping screw 18.Preferably, the length of the screw 18 is such that the free extremity 18a thereof is embedded in he stranded inner member when the scre,w @@ filly screwed into the transverse bore. Ten sup ring 20 is arranged concentri..aily about the n -e? cable member 6 intermediate the spring r@@ainer 12 and the anchoring fitting 8 ror biasing the inner member 6 axially to the right relative to tlie outer cable member 4 (for example, in the parking-brake-released direction).

In accordance with a chai-3cterizing feature of the invention, a fitting 22 is connected adjacent the free end of the inner '-' - r, which fitting in cludes a body mere member 24 having a cylindrical portion containing a longitudinal bore 26 for receiving the stranded inner cable member, and a pair of longitudina'.ly spaced parallel transverse bores 28 and 30 tr-s extend radially inwartily in opposite directions toward and In communication with the long.+ idina' bore 26.The transverse bores have lengths greater than the sum of the radius of the body member cylindrical portion and the radius of the longitudinal bore 26, thereby to define recesses 28a and 30a in the wall of the longitudinal bore facing the transverse bores 28 and 30, respectively.

Slidabsy mounted in the transverse bores 28 and 30 are a palr of metal locking balls 32 and 34, respectively, each having a diameter which is greates than the difference between the radius R1 of the cylindrical portion and the radius of the longitudinal bore, whereby when the locking balls are progressively inserted within the transverse bores to the positions shown in Figure 1, corresponding portions of the stranded inner member are radially outwardly deformed within the locking recesses 28a and 30a, respectively.Locking sleeve 36 mounted concentrically about the cylindrical fitting maintain the locking balls in their Figure 1 positions, whereby owing to the radia! outward deformation of portions of the stranded inner member, tim fitting body 24 is rigidly locked to the inne member 6.

It is important to note at this time that longitudinal tensile forces applied to -he stranded inner cable member 6 would non. IalE-y tend to displace the balls 32 and 34 radially oulwa:-d!y of the fitting body 24, but owing to the provision of the locking sleeve 36, the balls 32 and 34 are i-et-ained in their illustrated locking positions, whereby the longitudinally spaced deformed portions prevent axial displacement of the inner member relative to the fitting body.

The anchoring assembly 8 -- which corresponds with that of the aforementioned Gordy et al Reissue patent RE.No. 30,860-- includes an inner sleeve member 40 having at one end a flange portion 40a defining radially outwardly extending first abutment means, and at the other end a transverse wall 40b containing a central opening for receiving the inner cable member 6 when ti e end of the conduit member 4 is introduced into the anchoring assembly, as shown in Figure 1.An outer sleeve member 42 is mounted concentrically about the inner sleeve member and includes a flanged end portion 42a in engagement with the first abutment means 40a, and an annular collar member 46 is arranged concentrically about the second sleeve in abutting engagement at one end with the second abutment means 42a.

The outer sleeve member inciudes a plurality of integral, circumferentially spaced external resiliently outwardly biased prong portions that extend in the direction of the collar 46. The extremities of the prongs are spaced from the @@liar 46 a distance equal to the thickness of the fixed support member 10, whereby when the pronged end of the anchoring assembly is progressively introduced within the opening contained in the fixed support to a position in which the other end of the coliar member is in engagement with one face cf the support member, the extremities of the prongs 42c -- following inward compression during insertion of the anchoring assembly in the opening -- are resiiiently expanded outwardly to positions in which the prong extremities are in engagement with the opposite face of the support member, thereby to prevent axial displacement of the anchoring assembly relative to the support.

Operation To retrofit and field-assemba the cable assembly in a given motor vehicle or the likes the conduit 4 is cut to length, care being given te the length of the conduit anchoring assembly 8. The tolerance ring 5 is mounted concentrically on the conduit in spaced relation (about 8 mm) from the end of the conduit, whereupon the conduit i, c!amped lightly in a vise with the tolerance ring just ciear, whereupon the anchoring assembly is driven by a hammer and punch, or rod, to produce a force fit connection with the tolerance ring 5.The inner strand member 6 is then inserted into the conduit from its prefinished end, the spring 20 is mounted concentrically on the inner member, and the adjustable spring retainer 12 is fastened to the inner member at a position producing the desired tension of spring 20.

The inner stranded member 6 is then cut to the desired length, whereupon the cut end is introduced into the longitudinal bore of the fitting body 24. The balls 32 and 34 are inserted into the transverse bores 28, 30, whereupon tape is wound around the fitting to prevent loss of the balls. The balls are then pressed radially inwardly in a vise to deform longitudinally spaced portions of the inner strand member in opposite directions into the locking recesses 28a and 30a, respectively. The cable is then gripped in the vise jaws with the fitting on top of the jaws, whereupon the retaining sleeve 36 is hammered into place to retain the first ball. The second ball is then recompressed in the vise, the cable is gripped with the fitting on top of the jaws, and the retaining sleeve is hammered further axially to retain the second ball in place.

In the second embodiment of Figure 4, fitting 124 includes at one end a cylindrical portion 1 24a that contains the longitudinal bore 126, the other end of the fitting having a swaged eye portion 124b adapted for connection with the parking brake mechanism. In the modification of Figure 5, the left hand end of the fitting body 224 includes the cylindrical portion 224a, the right hand end including an externally threaded portion 224b. In each of these embodiments, the stranded inner member is rigidly locked to the fitting member by the ball and retaining sleeve members, as in the embodiment of Figure 1.

Referring now to Figures 6 and 7, the spring retainer 12 of Figure 1 is replaced by a push-on speed nut 50 and annular washer 53, thereby providing a cheaper, more quickly assembled means for retaining the right hand end of spring 20' relative to the inner cable member 6'. The speed nut 50 -which may be similar to the Speed Nut Model No. C 9133-017 manufactured by the Tinnerman Division of Eaton Yale & Towne -- is formed from resilient steel sheet material that is formed to a longitudinally bowed configuration and contains a central opening 54, and pairs of parallel cuts 56 that communicate at one end with the opening for defining a pair of resilient arm portions 50a. This, as is known in the art, when the cable 6' is inserted through the washer 53 and the opening 54 in the lock nut 50, the cable is gripped and locked between the resilient arms 50a, thereby retaining the right hand end of the spring relative to the cable.

While the preferred forms and embodiments have been illustrated and described, other changes and modifications may be made without deviating from the inventive concepts set forth above.

Claims

1. Afitting adapted for field connection with the stranded inner member (6) of a coaxial cable assembly (2), comprising (a) a fitting body member 24 including a generally cyclindrical portion, (1) said cylindrical portion containing at one end a central longitudinal bore (26) for receiving one end portion of the stranded inner member, the diameter of said longitudinal bore corresponding generally with that of the inner member;; (2) said cylindrical portion also containing a pair of parallel longitudinally spaced transverse bores (28,30) extending in opposite directions radially inwardly toward, and in communication with, said longitudinal bore, respectively, each of said transverse bores having a length greater than the sum of the radius of said cylindrical portion and the radius of said longitudinal bore, thereby to define a recess in the wall surface of said longitudinal bore facing said transverse bore; (b) a pair of locking member (32, 34) adapted for insertion in said transverse bores, respectively, each of said locking members having a dimension axially of the associated transverse bore that is greater than the difference between the radius of the cylindrical portion and the radius of said longitudinal bore; and (c) a tubular locking sleeve member (36) adapted for force-fit connection concentrically about said body member cyclindrical portion, the inner diameter of said sleeve member corresponding generally with the diameter of said cylindrical portion, whereby when the end of the stranded inner member is inserted in said longitudinal bore, and when the locking members are inserted in said transverse bores, respectively, mounting of the sleeve member concentrically about the cylindrical portion causes the locking members to be maintained in positions deforming corresponding portions of the stranded inner member radially outwardly into the associated recesses, respectively, thereby to lock the fitting body member to the stranded inner member.

2. A fitting as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said transverse bores has a diameter greater than the difference between the radius of said cylindrical bore; and further wherein each of aid locking members comprises a ball having a diameter corresponding with the diameter of the associated transverse bore.

3. A fitting as defined in claim 1,wherein said cylindrical portion is arranged at one end of the fitting body member, the other end of said fitting body member comprising an externally threaded longitudinally extending cylindrical end portion (224b).

4. A fitting as defined in claim 2, wherein said cylindrical portion is arranged at one end of the fitting body member, the other end of said fitting body member comprising a swaged eye end portion (124b).

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said cable assembly includes an outer conduit member (4) from one end of which the stranded inner cable member extends; and further including an anchoring assembly (8) for connecting said one conduit end within an opening contained in a fixed support, a spring retainer member (12; 50) connected with said stranded inner member intermediate said fitting and said anchoring assembly at a location adjacent but spaced from said anchoring assembly, and spring means (20) mounted concentrically on said inner cable member intermediate said spring retainer member and said anchoring assembly for biasing said inner cable member axially in a given direction relative to said outer conduit member.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said anchoring assembly includes (1) an inner sleeve member (40) having at one end radially outwardly extending first abutment means, and at the other end internal stop means arranged for engagement by the extremity of the outer conduti member when said one condut end is introduced axially into said inner sleeve member from said one end thereof with the inner ca e member projecting from the other end thereof; (2) an outer sleeve member (42) mounted concentrically about said inner sleeve member, said outer sleeve member being in abutting engagement at one end with said inner sleeve first abutment means, said outer sleeve member including adjacent said one end radially outwardly extending second abutment means;; (3) an annular collar member (46) arranged concentrically about aid outer sleeve member and in abutting engagement at one end with said outer sleeve second abutment means; (4) said outer sleeve member including adjacent its other end a plurality of integral, circumferentially spaced external resiliently outwardly biased prong portions that extend at one end in the direction of the said outer sleeve member one end, the extremities of said prongs being spaced from the other end of said collar member a distance equal to the thickness of said support member, whereby when the end of the anchoring assembly adjacent the said other end of said outer sleeve member is progressively introduced within the support bore to a position in which the other end of said collar member is in engagement with one face of the support member, the extremities of the prong members, following inward compression during insertion of the outer sleeve member within the support bore, are resilientiy expanded outwardly to positions in which the prong extremities are in engagement with the opposite face of the support member, thereby to prevent axial displacement of the anchoring assembly relative to the support member; and (5) a split tolerance ring (5) mounted with a force fit concentrically intermediate said outer conduit member and said one end of said inner sleeve member.

7. A method for the field assembly of a cable including a stranded inner member arranged for axial displacement concentrically within a tubular outer conduit member, comprising the steps of (a) cutting the conduit member to length; (b) mounting a split tolerance ring concentrically about said conduit member adjacent one end thereof; (c) mount by force fit a conduit anchoring assembly concentrically about said tolerance ring; (d) inserting said stranded inner member within said conduit, said inner member initially having a length greater than that of said outer conduit member; (e) cutting said inner member to a desired length; (f) inserting the cut inner member end within a longitudinal bore contained in the cylindrical portion of a fitting; and (g) deforming longitudinally spaced portions of said stranded inner member in opposite directions radially outwardly into corresponding recesses contained in the wall of said longitudinal bore.

8. The method defined in claim 7, and further including the intermediate steps-- prior to the cutting of said stranded inner member to a desired length of connecting spring biasing means between said stranded inner member and said anchoring assembly, thereby to bias said stranded inner member in a given axial direction relative to said outer conduit.

9. A fitting adapted for field connection with a co-axial cable assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

10. A method for the field assembly of a cable as claimed in Claim 7 substantially as herein described.