GB2173354A

GB2173354A - Anchoring device for an electric cable

Info

Publication number: GB2173354A
Application number: GB08604554A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Peter Ogburn
Original assignee: Lucas Industries Ltd
Current assignee: ZF International UK Ltd
Priority date: 1985-04-04
Filing date: 1986-02-25
Publication date: 1986-10-08
Also published as: GB8508963D0; GB8604554D0; GB2173354B

Abstract

An anchoring device for an electric cable 12 comprises a pair of parts 15, 16 which are moulded onto the cable in spaced relationship to each other and are then interengaged with each other in such a manner as to bend the cable through 90 DEG . The part 15 defines steps 20 engageable with the wall of the enclosure (11, Fig. 5). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Anchoring device for electric cable This invention relates to an anchoring device for an electric cable and in particular to an anchoring device which is adapted to be mounted in a recess in the wall of an enclosure, the cable serving to effect an electrical connection to components within the enclosure from the exterior thereof.

In order to minimise the possibility of damage to the components within the enclosure the anchoring device should grip the cable to the extent that any tension applied to the cable exterior of the enclosure will be resisted by the device. It is known to mould a shaped block of material around a cable or cables, the cable or cables being substantially straight.

This method of anchoring relies on the adhesion between the material forming the cable covering and the material of the block and this cannot always be relied upon. It is more difficult to mould the block of material onto a cable around say a 90" bend in the cable.

This, if a practical proposition, would probably offer a solution to the problem but is not practical because of the difficulty of supporting the cable or cables during the moulding process. It is also known to construct an anchoring device in two parts which are assembled around the cable or cables and are then pressed into position in a recess or aperture in the wall of the enclosure. The two parts are configured so that the cable is kinked and this form of anchoring device can withstand tension applied to the portion of the cable exterior of the enclosure. A disadvantage with this type of anchoring device is that the wiring assembly including the anchoring device and the components cannot be tested before assembly into the enclosure.

The object of the invention is to provide an anchoring device for an electric cable in a simple and convenient form.

According to the invention an anchoring device for an electric cable comprises first and second parts which are moulded about a cable in spaced relationship along the length of the cable, the cable during the moulding process being held substantially straight, said parts defining interengageable members whereby the two parts may be engaged together after the moulding process, the two parts in the interengaged position causing the cable to bend through substantially 90".

An example of an anchoring device in accordance with the invention will now be described with referende to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the parts of the device after moulding, Figures 2 and 3 show perspective views of the assembled device, Figure 4 is a side view of the assembled device, Figure 5 shows in perspective the device fitted in a recess in the wall of an enclosure, and Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view of an electrical assembly prior to its assembly into the enclosure.

Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, a printed circuit board is indicated at 10, the board being intended to be located within an enclosure generally indicated at 11 in Fig. 5. The printed circuit board has external connections by way of cables 12, to a plug 13 and positioned intermediate the printed circuit board and the plug is an anchoring device 14 which as will be seen from Fig. 5, is located in a recess in a side wall of the enclosure prior to a cover (not shown) being attached to the enclosure.

As will be seen from Fig. 5 the cables are bent through substantially 90" in the anchoring device so that any tension applied to the cable exterior of the enclosure will not result in tension being applied to the portion of the cable lying within the enclosure and connected to the printed circuit board. Moreover, the electrical assembly including the anchoring device, can be tested prior to assembly within the enclosure.

Turning now to Figs. 1-4, the anchoring device 14 is formed in two parts 15, 16. The two parts are formed as injection mouldings about the cables, the latter being located in side by side relationship in the moulding machine and substantially straight, the two parts being located in spaced relationship along the lengths of the cables.

The main portion 17 of the part 15 is of substantially rectangular section and has its side walls 18 grooved at 19, the grooves in use being engaged by tongues (not shown) formed in the side walls of the recess in the wall of the enclosure. The end portion of the part 17 which is presented to the part 16, is of increased transverse width to define a pair of steps 20 which in use engage the side wall of the enclosure to prevent the anchoring device being pulled out of the recess. Moreover, the corner portions of the part 15 extend upwardly to define a pair of locating posts 21.

The part 16 has a length in the direction of the cables, equal to the height of the aforesaid posts 21, and a width equal to the gap between the posts so that it can be located between the posts as shown in Figs. 2-4.

Moreover, it is provided as shown in Fig. 1, with a pair of upstanding members 22 defining shoulders which in the assembled condition of the parts, engage behind the posts 21 to secure the two parts together. The outer surfaces of the members 22 are conveniently chamfered to facilitate assembly of the parts and the height of the members 22 is such that in the assembled condition of the parts, the upper surfaces of the members lie flush with the steps 20 on the part 15.

When the anchoring device is assembled into -the recess in the wall of the enclosure the steps 20 and the upper surfaces of the members 22 engage the inner surface of the side wall of the enclosure in which the recess is formed. The undersurface as seen in Fig. 1, of the part 15 forme the surface which will be engaged by the cover of the enclosure and in order to prevent the anchoring device being pushed into the enclosure the upper surface as seen in Fig. 1, of the part 15 may be provided with a transverse tongue or projection which in use, will engage with the outer surface of the wall of the enclosure in which the recess is formed.

As the two parts are engaged with each other the cables are bent through substantially 90" and this bend acts to prevent the cables being pulled through the parts by tension applied to the portions of the cables exterior of the enclosure.

Claims

1. An anchoring device for an electric cable comprising first and second parts which are moulded about the cable in spaced relationship along the length of the cable, the cable during the moulding operation being held substantially straight, said parts defining interengageable members whereby the two parts may be engaged together after the moulding process, the two parts in the interengaged position causing the cable to bend through substantially 90".

2. A device according to Claim 1 in which the first of said parts includes a main portion of substantially rectangular section and defining on one side a pair of spaced posts, the secpnd of said parts being locatable between said posts and carrying a pair of members shaped for engagement with said posts, said posts and said members defining said interengageable members.

3. A device according to Claim 2 in which the side walls of said first part define steps respectively for engagement in use with the internal surface of a wall of an enclosure in which the device is located.

4. A device according to Claim 3 in which said side walls further define grooves for engagement with tongues formed on the side walls of an aperture in said wall of the enclosure.

5. A device according to Claim 4 including a projection formed on the other side of the first of said parts, said projection engaging in use with the outer surface of said wall to prevent the device being pushed -into the enclosure.

6. A device according to claim 2 in which the second of said parts has a length in the direction of the cables equal to the height of said posts.

7. A device according to Claim 2 in which the members defined by the second of said parts define shoulders for engagement with said posts the outer surfaces of said members being chamfered to facilitate assembly of the parts.

8. An anchoring device for an electric cable substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.