GB2194396A

GB2194396A - Electrical connector

Info

Publication number: GB2194396A
Application number: GB08716906A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Soren Christensen
Original assignee: CONBLOCK ELECTRICAL Ltd
Current assignee: CONBLOCK ELECTRICAL Ltd
Priority date: 1986-07-17
Filing date: 1987-07-17
Publication date: 1988-03-02
Anticipated expiration: 2007-07-17
Also published as: GB2194396B; GB8716906D0; GB8617494D0

Abstract

The application describes an electrical connector which is formed as a single integral unit (1). The unit comprises a mouth piece 2, the mouth piece being adapted to hold a bush (10, 11), through which a cable can pass, a clamping device (3) behind the mouth piece and electrical connection means (4) arranged remote from the clamping device. The clamping device (3) comprises a hinged-clamping bar (6) and a bendable clamping arm (7). The clamping bar is releasably movable between a position in which it forces the clamping arm to clamp the cable and a position in which the cable is free. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Electrical connector The present invention relates to an electrical connector, for example for connecting a power cable to an electrical appliance.

When a power cable is connected to an appliance through a hole in the wall or casing of the appliance, it is conventional to fit a grommet in the hole to prevent the edges of the hole from cutting into the cable. Within the appliance, the cable must be clamped to prevent strain being applied to the electrical connections themselves.

According to the invention there is provided an electrical connector which is formed as a single integral unit, the unit comprising a mouth piece, the mouth piece being adapted to hold a bush through which the cable can pass, a clamping device behind the mouth piece and electrical connection means arranged remote from the clamping device, and wherein the clamping device comprises a hinged clamping bar and a bendable clamping arm, the clamping bar being releasably movable between a position in which it forces the clamping arm to clamp the cable and a position in which the cable is free.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in detail below, by example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of an electrical connector; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the connector, the section being taken in the direction of the cable; and Figures 3 and 4 are sectional views taken along line A-A in Fig. 2.

The connector shown in Fig. 1 is formed of a single integral unit generally designated by the numeral 1. The unit 1 comprises a mouth piece 2, a clamping device 3 and electrical connections means 4. The connection means 4 are arranged remote from the clamping device 3 by means of one T-shaped arm 5. The clamping device comprises a hinged clamped bar 6 and a bendable clamping arm 7.

As seen most clearly in Fig. 2, the mouth piece 2 has a cylindrical mouth 8 with an internal lip 9. Received in the mouth is either a rubber bush 10 or a nylon bush 11. As seen in Fig. 2, the rubber bush 10 fits around the lip 9 of the mouth piece 2.

The clamping device 3 fitted behind the mouth piece 2 includes a base member 12 on which the clamping bar 6 and the clamping arm 7 are mounted. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the clamping arm 7 extends upwardly from the base member 12, on the same side of the cable as the clamping bar 6 is hinged. The arm 7 includes a ridge 13 on its inner side; the base member has similar transverse ridges 14 (Fig. 2). The clamping bar 6 has on its lower surfce-as seen in Fig. 3 and 4-a hook shaped projection 15 with an inclined surface 16 on the hinge side of the bar. At the opposite end, the clamping bar has an aperture 17 with a toothed tongue 18. Extending upwards from the base 12, on the other side of the cable from the clamping arm 7, is a locking pillar 19 which fits within the aperture 17 of the clamping bar and has a corresponding tooth 20.

Extending rearwardly from the clamping device 3 is a central T-shaped arm 5 and the electrical connection means 4 are fitted on the end of these arms. The connection means 4 may consist of terminal block 22 with screw contacts 23 or a terminal block 24 with spade contacts 25. The terminal block 22, as seen in Fig. 1, has a passage 26 for each wire 27 of the cable 28. Fitted in one passage 26 is an earth insert 29, made of brass for example. Extending down from this passage 26 in the terminal block 22 is a tubular portion 30 in which a spring-steel split bush 31 is located. The bush 31 may have serrated ends.

For mounting the connector 1 is an electrical appliance, an angular plate 32 may be used (shown in two parts in Fig. 1). The front panel 33 of the plate 32 has a central aperture 34 for the cable and lateral holes 35 in which can fit chimneys 36 on the front face of the mouth piece 2. The chimneys 36 are longer than the thickness of the panel 33. The lower panel 37 of the plate 32 fits underneath the connector 1 at the level of the lower end of portion 30. The panel 37 has a hole 38.

In use, the cable 28 is threaded through the panel 33, the bush 10 or 11 and the mouth piece 2. The wires 27 of the cable are connected to the contacts 23. The bush 10 or 11 is located in the mouth 8 and the plate 32 is screwed to the front of the connector 1 by self-tapping screws 39. The screwing action compresses the rubber bush 10 (if used) to provide for an extremely water-tight fitting. If a waterproof connection is not needed, the nylon bush 11 is used. The screwing action also splays the chimneys 36 on the outside of the panel 33 so that the holes 35 are sealed and so that the panel will remain connected to the connector 1 even if screws 39 are removed.

With the panel 33 fixed in this way, the lower panel 37 abuts the bottom of portion 30 with its hole 38 registering with the steel bush 31. As seen in Fig. 2, an earth screw 40 is screwed through the hole 38, the bush 31 and up into the passage 26 in which the earth insert 29 is fitted. THE serrated ends of the bush 31 provide for a good earth connection between the insert 29 and the plate 32.

The clamping bar 6 is now swung into its closed position seen in Fig. 4 (of course the clamping device may be locked before the plate 32 is fitted, if desired). With this move ment, the clamping arm 7 is bent over onto the cable 28 and the ridge 13 of the arm 7 embeds itself into the sheath of the cable. At the same time, the ridges 14 on the base 12 are pressed into the opposite side of the cable. The clamping bar is locked in position by its teeth 18 engaging the tooth 20 of the locking pillar 19. Thus, the cable is firmly clamped, preventing strain on the electrical connections themselves. The clamping bar 6 can easily be released, however, by applying releasing pressure to the toothed tongue 18 causing the teeth to disengage with the locking pillar 19.

The connector 1, which is moulded as one piece from nylon 66 for example, thus provides a single simple unit which includes a cable gland, strain relief and the electrical connections.

Claims

1. An electrical connector which is formed as a single integral unit, the unit comprising a mouth piece, the mouth piece being adapted to hold a bush through which the cable can pass, a clamping device behind the mouth piece and electrical connection means arranged remote from the clamping device, and wherein the clamping device comprises a hinged clamping bar and a bendable clamping arm, the clamping bar being releasably movable between a position in which it forces the clamping arm to clamp the cable and a position in which the cable is free.

2. An electrical connector, substantially as herein described and as illustrnted in the accompanying drawings.