IE892171A1

IE892171A1 - A mould for a cable connector

Info

Publication number: IE892171A1
Application number: IE217189A
Authority: IE
Original assignee: Desbury Ltd
Priority date: 1989-07-06
Filing date: 1989-07-06
Publication date: 1991-01-16
Also published as: GB2233596A; ZA896041B; GB9012595D0

Abstract

The injection mould (1) comprises a top part (31) and a bottom part (32) having respective recesses (34) and (35) defining the cavity for insert moulding the connector housing (18) around the cable connector. The replaceable parts enable the connector housing (18) to be injection moulded with differing indicia (25), with or without wings (19) having screw holes (20) for fixing screws and with differing cable entry shields (24) to the housing. The indicia (25) are defined by insert plates (47, 57) replaceably mounted in mould recesses (45, 55) and the shield (24) by replaceably mounted inserts (49, 59). The presence or absence of the wings (19) is defined by respective members (65) or (91, Figs. 13, 14) which are replaceably mounted to a carrier (68) for reciprocation into and out of the mould cavity, the members (65) each carrying a cone (66) to define the wing bore (20).

Description

The present invention relates to a mould for forming a cable connector device by moulding a housing around a cable connector connected to a cable, and the invention also relates to a method for moulding a cable connector 5 device comprising the housing, cable connector and cable and furthermore the invention relates to the cable connector device. Hereinafter the combination of a cable connector, a cable and connector housing extending round the cable connector and cable is referred to as a cable connector device.

In general, where multi-core cables are to be provided with a plug or socket connector for connecting into electronic apparatus, such as, for example, computer hardware, it is generally the practice to provide a cable connector device on the end or ends of the cable.

Such connector devices comprise a cable connector which is connected to the cable and a connector housing of plastics material moulded around the cable connector and the end of the cable adjacent the cable connector. This requires a mould having a mould cavity which defines the outer shape of the connector housing. The cable connector and cable connected together are located substantially centrally in the mould cavity so that plastics material in liquid form can be injection moulded around the cable connector and cable to form the connector housing. However, in practice, while in many - 3 cases the number of wires or cores in a cable is standardized, and accordingly the number of pins in the cable connector or corresponding socket holes are also standardized, unfortunately the outer shape of connector housings is not standardized. A multiplicity of different shaped cable connector devices are required.

In particular, some of the connector housings require the provision of side wings extending sidewardly from each connector housing to accommodate bores for fixing screws for securing a cable connector device to a corresponding piece of hardware. Other connector housings are required without the provision of such side wings. Other connector housings require a relatively flexible cable support shield extending from the housing to support the cable adjacent the connector housing and relieve strain in the cable, while others do not. In many cases, there is a requirement for different legends to be provided on the exterior of the housing to identify, for example, the load carrying capacity or the like of the cable connector device, or the part number or the like of the cable connector device. In many cases, the outer shape of these connector housings may be substantially similar with the exception of, for example, side wings, the cable support shields and the legends. However, to date, to accommodate the variations in the requirements for connector housings, it has been necessary to provide individual moulds for - 4 each different shape required. This, it will be appreciated, is inefficient and costly, in that in many cases it leads to moulds having to be prepared for relatively small runs of special type of cable connector devices.

There is therefore a need for a mould for moulding a connector housing around a cable connector and cable which overcomes these problems. There is also a need for a method for producing a cable connector device using a mould according to the invention. There is also a need for a cable connector device produced from the mould and from the method according to the invention.

The present invention is directed towards providing such a mould, method and cable connector device.

According to the invention, there is provided a mould for moulding a connector housing around a cable connector and cable to form a cable connector device, the mould comprising at least two mould parts engagable with each other to form a mould cavity which defines the outer shape of the connector housing and for receiving the cable connector and cable, and a plurality of different shaped mould altering members engagable in the mould for altering the shape of the mould cavity, and means for receiving at least one of the mould altering - 5 members. In one embodiment of the invention, the means for receiving a mould altering member slidably engages the mould altering member.

Advantageously, the means for receiving the mould 5 altering member is provided by a bore extending through the mould from the mould cavity to the exterior of the mould .

In another embodiment of the invention, a shank extends from at least one of the mould altering members, the shank being slidable in the means for receiving the mould altering member.

In another embodiment of the invention, at least one of the mould altering members extends into the mould cavity on one side thereof.

In another embodiment of the invention, at least one of the mould altering members engages in one side of the cavity to reduce the width of the cavity.

Advantageously, at least one of the mould altering members comprises a core pin for extending into the cavity to form a bore in the moulded connector housing.

Preferably, each core pin forms a bore to accommodate a fixing screw.

In another embodiment of the invention, a plurality of pairs of mould altering members are provided, a pair of mould altering members being simultaneously engagable in the mould.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the mould comprises a carrier member for releasably mounting the mould altering members, the carrier member being slidable relative to the mould on guide means for moving the mould altering members into and out of the mould cavity.

Additionally, the invention provides a method for altering the shape of the mould cavity of the mould according to the invention, the method comprising the steps of inserting at least one of the mould altering members in the mould cavity. Advantageously, the method includes the step of inserting at least one of the mould altering members in the mould cavity by means of a hydraulic ram.

Further, the invention provides a method for moulding a connector housing around a cable connector and cable to form a cable connector device, using the mould according to the invention, the method comprising the steps of placing the cable connector connected to the cable in the mould cavity, inserting at least one of the mould - 7 altering members into the mould cavity, and delivering plastics material in liquid form into the mould cavity.

In one embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the steps of placing the cable connector and cable attached to the cable connector in portion of one mould part defining part of the mould cavity, and moving the two parts of the mould together to form the mould cavity. In another embodiment of the invention, each mould altering member is inserted into the mould cavity after the mould parts have been moved together.

In another embodiment of the invention, at least one the mould altering members is inserted in the cavity prior to placing the cable connector in the cavity. of The invention further provides a cable connector device 15 produced from a mould according to the invention using the method according to the invention.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a cable connector device manufactured using a mould and method - 8 according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a partly cut-away perspective view of the cable connector device of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a perspective view of another cable 5 connector device manufactured using the mould and method according to the invention, Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a further cable connector device also manufactured using the mould and method according to the invention, Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a mould according to the invention for moulding the cable connector devices of Figs. 1 to 4, Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one portion of the mould of Fig. 5, Fig. 7 is a perspective view of another portion of the mould of Fig. 5, Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a detail of the portion of the mould of Fig. 7, Fig. 9 is a cut-away perspective view of a detail of - 9 the mould of Fig. 5 in use, Fig. 10 is a perspective view of portion of the mould of Fig. 5, Fig. 11 is a perspective view of another portion of the mould of Fig. 5, Fig. 12 is a perspective view of another portion of the mould of Fig. 5, Fig. 13 is a perspective view of portion of the mould of Fig. 5 set up for manufacturing another cable connector device, Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the portion of the mould of Fig. 13 in a different position, Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a portion of the mould of Fig. 5 set up for moulding another cable connector device, and Fig . 16 is a perspective view of a portion of the mould of Fig . 15. Referring to the drawings , there is illustrated a mould according to the invention indicated generally by the - 10 reference numeral 1 for moulding cable connector devices indicated generally by the reference numerals 2a to 2c also according to the invention. The cable connector devices 2 are suitable for connecting multi-core cable to electronic apparatus. Before describing the mould 1 in detail, the cable connector devices 2 will first be described .

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the cable connector device 2a is illustrated connected at one end of a multi-core cable 6 having a plurality of wires 5. The cable connector device 2a comprises a cable connector 7 having an outer shield 8 formed in two parts 9 of tin plated sheet metal. A pair of plate members 15 of tin plated sheet metal engage the parts 9 to retain the outer shield 8 together. The plate members 15 also retain a support member 12 of plastics material in position relative to the outer shield 8. Clips 11 on one of the plate members 15 engage the other plate member 15 for retaining the plate members 15 together. The wires 5 of the cable 6 are connected to a plurality of pins 10 which extend outwardly of the support member 12. The pins 10 extend inwardly into the outer shield 8 through the support member 12 for connection to the wires 5 of the cable 6. A protective guard 14 is integrally formed with and extends outwardly from one of the plate members and forms a recess 17 within which the pins 10 are - 11 accommodated. Such cable connector devices will be well known to those skilled in the art and it is not intended to describe the actual connection of the cable 6 to the cable connector 7 in further detail.

A connector housing 18 of injection moulded plastics material is moulded round the cable connector 7 and portion of the cable 6 to form the cable connector device 2a. Side wings 19 extend sidewardly from each side 16 of the connector housing 18 and bores 20 extend through the side wings to accommodate screws 22 for securing the cable connector device 2a to the hardware into which it is to be connected. The bores 20 align with corresponding holes 21 adjacent ends 23 in the plate members 15.

A cable shield 24 extends rearwardly from the connector housing 18 and is of injection moulded plastics material integrally moulded with the housing 18. The cable shield 24 supports the cable 6 adjacent the housing 18 to avoid fracturing of the wires 5 within the cable 6.

The outer surface 27 of the connector housing 18 is slightly roughened and a shallow recess 25 having a smooth surface is provided on each side 26 of the connector housing 18 to accommodate a legend (not shown) which may indicate the name of the supplier of the cable connector device 2a and/or the load carrying capacity of - 12 the cable connector device 2a, and/or the part number of the device 2a, or the like.

While the cable connector device 2a has been described as comprising a plurality of pins 10 the cable connector 5 device, instead of being provided with pins 10, could be provided with a plurality of corresponding sockets to engage corresponding pins of another cable connector device or in hardware. In general, the sockets are provided in a support member similar to the support 10 member 12 which extends into the recess 17 formed by the protective guard 14. In fact, it is envisaged that in many cases cables will be provided with a connector device 2a at each end, and one connector device 2a will comprise pins 10, namely the male connector device, and the other connector device will comprise a plurality of corresponding sockets, namely the female connector device.

Referring now to Fig. 3, the cable connector device 2b is i1lustrated • In this case, the connector device 2b 20 is substantial iy similar to the connector device 2a with the exception that the side wings 19 have been omitted, and further, the plate members 15 has been provided with ends 28 different to the ends 23 of the plate members 15 of the connector device 2a. The ends 28 of the plate members 15 are provided with recesses 29 which are - 13 adapted to receive a different type of fastening means for securing the connecting device 2b to hardware. Otherwise, the construction of the connector device 2b is identical to that of the connector device 2a, and similar components are identified by the same reference numerals .

Referring now to Fig. 4, the connector device 2c is illustrated. This connector device 2c is similar to the connector device 2a with the exception that the cable shield 24 has been omitted and replaced by a neck 30.

Otherwise, the connector device 2c is identical to the connector device 2a in all other respects, and similar components are identified by the same reference numerals .

Referring now to Figs. 5 to 16 the mould 1 for producing the cable connector devices 2a to 2c will now be described. Initially, the mould will be described generally for moulding any of the cable connector devices 2a to 2c, and then the set-ups for the mould 1 to mould each of the cable connector devices 2a to 2c will be individually described. The mould 1 comprises two mould parts, namely, a top mould part 31 and a bottom part 32. The mould is ideally suited for mounting in a mould press (not shown) with the bottom part 32 mounted in the bed of the press and the top part - 14 31 mounted on a vertically moving ram for moving the top part 31 into and out of engagement with the bottom part 32. Needless to say, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the mould parts 31 and 32 could be mounted in any other suitable mould press, whereby the mould parts 31 and 32 could be moved together along a horizontal axis or along an axis in any other direction. The mould parts 31 and 32 comprise two recesses 34 and 35, respectively, which, when the mould parts 31 and 32 are brought together, form mould cavities 36 which define the outer shape of the connector housing 18, see Fig. 9.

Dealing initially with the bottom mould part 32, each recess 35 terminates at one end in a wall 39 formed by a block member 40 extending from the mould part 32, see Fig. 6. In each block member 40, connecting means are provided for centrally locating a cable connector 7 assembled to a cable 6 in the cavities 36 for moulding the connector housing 18. In one block member 40, the connecting means is provided by a plurality of sockets 43 for engaging the pins 10 in the cable connector 7.

In the other block member 40, the connecting means is provided by a plurality of pins 44 for engaging corresponding socket holes (not shown) in a cable connector 7. - 15 A recess 45 is provided in a wall 46 of the recesses 35 for receiving a mould altering member 47 which carries a legend to be imprinted on the connector housing 18. The mould altering members 47 comprise plates 84 which carry legends (not shown) indicating the name of the manufacturer of the cable connector devices and/or part number and/or its load carrying capacity on a smooth surface 83. Threaded bores 85 in each plate 84 engage screws 42 for securing the plate 84 in the recess 45, see Figs. 9 and 12.

A recess 48 is provided in the recess 35 to receive a mould altering member 49 which in this case forms the neck 30 and/or a cable shield 24 extending from the end of the connector housing 18 which will be described below.

Side walls 50 of the recesses 35 are shaped to form the sides 16 of the connector housing 18. Recesses 51 extending into the side walls 50 form the side wings 19 of the cable connector devices 2a and 2c as will be described below in more detail with reference to the top mould part 31. Grooves 52 extend from the recesses 51 for accommodating shanks 65 of mould altering members 53, which are also described in detail below with reference to the top mould part 31. - 16 Returning now to the top mould part 31 of the mould 1, the recesses 34 will now be described, in particular with reference to Fig. 7. The recesses 34 terminate at one end in recesses 54 which accommodate the block members 40 extending from the bottom mould parts 32. Thus, when the mould parts 31 and 32 are engaged together, the block members 40 engage the corresponding recesses 54 so that the wall 39 of each block member 40 forms an end wall of the respective cavity 36.

Recesses 55 similar to the recesses 45 are provided in walls 56 of the recesses 34 for accommodating mould altering members 57 similar to the mould altering members 47. Recesses 58 similar to the recesses 48 accommodate mould altering members 59 similar to the mould altering members 49. Recesses 61 similar to the recesses 51 extend into side walls 62 of the recesses 34 which are similar to the side walls 50 of the recesses and form the other portion of the cavities for forming the side wings 19.

Two pairs of grooves 63 are formed in the top mould part 31 and correspond with the grooves 52 formed in the bottom mould part 32 to form bores when the mould parts 31 and 32 are engaged together to slidably accommodate the shanks 65 of the mould altering members 53. The mould altering members for forming the side wings 19 of - 17 the cable connector devices 2a and 2c are illustrated in Figs. 7, 8, 9 and 11 and comprise a core pin 66 extending from an end face 67 of the shank 65. The core pins 66 form the bores 20 in the side wings 19, and the end faces 67 close off the portions of the cavity 36 which forms the wings 19, see Figs. 8 and 9. A carrier member 68 releasably supports the shanks 65. Screws (not shown) secure the shanks 65 in the carrier member 68. The carrier member 68 is slidable in the direction of the arrows A and B for inserting and withdrawing the core pins 66 into the cavities 36 on guide means provided by a pair of guide rods 69 extending from the top mould part 31. Linear bearings 70 in the carrier member 68 slidably engage the rods 69. Screws 71 secure the rods 69 in the mould part 31. A hydraulic ram 73 mounted on a mounting member 74 extending from the top mould part 31 moves the carrier member 68 in the direction of the arrows A and B. The piston rod 75 of the ram 73 is connected to the carrier members 68.

Grooves 86 in each mould part 31 and 32 form, when the mould parts 31 and 32 are brought together, a duct for delivering plastics material in liquid form into the cavities 36. The grooves 86 extend across the grooves 52 and 63 to deliver the plastics material around the shanks 65 of the mould altering members 53. Gates (not shown) are provided at the point where the grooves 86 - 18 terminate in the cavities 36. Such arrangement of gates will be well known to those skilled in the art. Guide pillars 88 extending from the top mould part 31 slidably engage corresponding linear bearings 89 in the bottom mould parts 32 for aligning the moulds when in engagement.

To mould the cable connector device 2a with side wings 19 and bores 20 in the side wings 19, the mould 1 is set up as illustrated in Figs. 5 to 9. The mould altering members 53 formed by the core pins 66 extending from the shanks 65 are used. Where side wings 19 are not required, as in the case of the connector device 2b, different mould altering members 53 which are described below are used. The mould altering members 49 and 59 for moulding the cable connector device 2a are provided by block members 78, see Fig. 10. Each block member 78 is provided with a groove 79 of semi-circular cross section which, when the mould parts 31 and 32 are brought together, form a bore 80 to accommodate the cable 6. In this case, longitudinal grooves 81 and circumferential grooves 82 are formed into the semi-circular grooves 79 to form the cable shield 24 in the connector device 2a. The members 78 are secured in the recesses 48 and 58 by screws (not shown). Plates 84 with the desired data provided on the surface 83 are mounted in the recesses 45 and 55 of the recesses 35 and - 19 34, respectively.

Where it is desired to mould the cable connector device 2b, the mould 1 is set up as illustrated in Figs. 13 and 14, which illustrate the top mould part 31. The bottom mould part 32 is left unchanged unless it is desired to change the plate 84 of the mould altering member 47.

The mould altering members 53 illustrated in Figs. 13 and 14 are used. The mould altering members 53 in this case comprise shanks 91 which are releasably secured in the carrier member 68 by screws (not shown). End portions of the shanks 91 form mould altering portion 92 which extend into the recesses 34 and 35 when the mould parts 31 and 32 are brought together to close the cavities formed by the recesses 51 and 61, thereby preventing the formation of the side wings 19 in the connector housing 18, see Fig. 14.

Where it is desired to mould the cable connector device 2c, the mould 1 is set up as illustrated in Fig. 15 which illustrates the top mould part 31. In this case, the mould altering members 49 and 59 are provided by block members 97 illustrated in Fig. 16. Each block member 97 comprises a stepped groove 98 and 99 of semi-circular cross section, so that when two block members 97 are brought together, the grooves 98 and 99 form a stepped bore. The bore formed by the grooves 98 - 20 defines the cross section of the cable. The bore formed by the grooves 99 forms the neck 30 of the connector housing 18. The block members 97 are secured by screws (not shown) in the recesses 48 and 58 of the mould parts 32 and 31 respectively. Mould altering members 53 provided by the member illustrated in Fig. 11, namely the member comprising a core pin 66 and shank 65 are mounted on the carrier member 68. Any desired plate 84 may be mounted in the recesses 45 and 55 of the mould parts 32 and 31 respectively.

In use, when it is desired to produce the cable connector device 2a, the mould altering members 78 are secured in the recesses 48 and 58 in the recesses 35 and respectively. Plate members 84 with the desired 15 legends are secured in the recesses 45 and 55. The shanks 65 carrying the core pins 66 are secured to the carrier member 68. The mould parts 31 and 32 are respectively mounted on the ram and bed of a mould press (not shown). The mould is then ready for use. With the top mould part 31 withdrawn from the bottom mould part 32, a pair of cable connectors assembled on each end of the cable 6 are placed in the recesses 35 of the bottom part 32. The cable connector 7 with the pins 10 is inserted in the recess 35 of the bottom mould part 32 having the sockets 43, with the pins 10 of the cable connector 7 engaging the corresponding sockets 43 in the - 21 block member 40. The cable connector 7 with the sockets (not shown) is placed in the recess 35 having the pins 44 with the sockets of the cable connector 7 engaging in the pins 44 of the block member 40. Thereby both cable connectors 7 and the cable 6 extending from the cable connectors 7 are centred in the recesses 35. The mould parts 31 and 32 are brought together, and the carrier member 68 under control of the ram 73 is moved inwardly in the direction of the arrow A thereby inserting the core pin 66 into the cavities 36 to form the bores 20, see Fig. 9. The core pins 66 engage the holes 21 in the plate members 15 of the cable connectors 7. Plastic material in this case PVC in liquid form is then injection moulded into the cavities 36 around the cable connectors 7 and cable 6, thereby forming the connector housing 18 of the connector device 2a. After leaving the mould parts 31 and 32 in engagement for sixty seconds to permit initial hardening of the connector housing 18, the carrier member 68 is moved in the direction of the arrow B under the control of the hydraulic ram 73 to withdraw the cores pins 66 into the position illustrated in Fig. 7. The top mould part 31 is moved away from the bottom mould part 32 and the cable 6 with the cable connector devices 2a are removed from the mould. The mould 1 is then ready for moulding the next cable device 2a. - 22 Where it is desired to mould the connector device 2b the shanks 65 carrying the core pins 66 are replaced by the shanks 91 carrying the mould altering portions 92. The mould parts 31 and 32 are mounted on a mould press as already described, and the cable connectors 7 on the ends of a cable 6 are mounted in the recesses 35 in the bottom mould part 32 as already described. The top mould part 31 is brought into engagement with the bottom mould part 32 and the carrier member 68 under the control of the ram 73 inserts the mould altering portions 92 of the shanks 91 into the cavities 36, thereby closing the portions of the cavity which form the side wings 19. The mould engaging portions 92 also engage the ends 28 of each plate members 15 to secure the plate members 15 against the walls 39 formed by the block members 40. Liquid plastics material is injected into the cavities 36 to form the connector housing 18 of the cable connector devices 2b. After initial hardening of the plastics material, the mould engaging portions 92 are withdrawn to release the plate members 15 and the top mould part 31 is withdrawn from the bottom mould part 32 and the moulded connector devices 2b are removed .

It will be appreciated that when the connector devices 25 2b are being moulded in certain cases it is envisaged that it may not be necessary to withdraw the mould - 23 altering portions 92 from the cavities 36. In such cases, the mould altering portion 92 would be left in position in each cavity, thereby closing off the side portions of each cavity 30 forming the side wings 19.

In this case, the carrier member 68 would remain in one fixed position.

To mould the cable connector device 2c, the shanks 65 carrying the core pins 66 are mounted on the carrier member 68, and the block members 97 are secured in the recesses 48 and 58 to form the neck 30 of the connector housing 30. The mould is then ready for use and operation of the mould to form the cable connector devices 2c is identical to its operation in forming the cable connector devices 2a.

It will readily be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the plate 84 may be changed at any desired intervals to alter the legend being imprinted on the sides 26 of the connector housing 18.

While particular shapes and construction of connector housings have been described, any other suitable housing shapes and construction could be used without departing from the scope of the invention. Further, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that connector devices with different combinations of side - 24 wings and cable shields and legends could be provided without departing from the scope of the invention.

It will also, of course, be appreciated that the actual mould construction could be altered without departing from the scope of the invention.

It will also, of course, be appreciated that the actual mould construction could be altered without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, it is envisaged that single cavity moulds instead of double cavity moulds could be provided. Needless to say, if desired, moulds with many more cavities could be provided. Needless to say, it will be appreciated that means other than a hydraulic ram could be used for moving the carrier member, and needless to say, any other suitable guide means could be used for guiding the carrier member.

Mould altering members of shape and construction different to that described could also be provided without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A mould for moulding a connector housing around a cable connector and cable to form a cable connector device, the mould comprising at least two mould parts engagable with each other to form a mould cavity which defines the outer shape of the connector housing and for receiving the cable connector and cable, and a plurality of different shaped mould altering members engagable in the mould for altering the shape of the mould cavity, and means for receiving at least one of the mould altering members.

2. A mould as claimed in Claim 1 in which the means for receiving a mould altering member slidably engages the mould altering member. 15

3. A mould as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 in which the means for receiving the mould altering member is provided by a bore extending through the mould from the mould cavity to the exterior of the mould.

4. A mould as claimed in any preceding claim in which a 20 shank extends from at least one of the mould altering members, the shank being slidable in the means for receiving the mould altering member. - 26 5. A mould as claimed in any preceding claim in which at least one of the mould altering members extends into the mould cavity on one side thereof.

5. Which a pair of side wings extend from the sides of the cable connector device, the side wings being integrally moulded with the connector housing and respective bores extending through the side wings to accommodate fixing screws . 5 the width of the connector housing. 32. Cable connector devices substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 33. A cable connector device produced from a mould of 10 any of Claims 1 to 20 in which the cable connector device comprises a cable connector connected to a cable and a connector housing of injection moulded plastics material being provided around the cable connector. 34. A cable connector device as claimed in Claim 32 in 15 which a pair of side wings extend from the sides of the cable connector device, the side wings being integrally moulded with the connector housing and respective bores extending through the side wings to accommodate fixing screws . 20 35. A cable connector device produced from a mould of any of Claims 1 to 20 using the method of any of Claims 25 to 32 in which the cable connector device comprises a - 32 cable connector connected to a cable and a cable housing of injection moulded plastics material being provided around the cable connector. 36. A cable connector device as claimed in Claim 35 in 5 the two parts of the mould together to form the mould cavity . 27. A method as claimed in Claim 26 in which each mould altering member is inserted into the mould cavity after the mould parts have been moved together. 10 28. A method as claimed in any of Claims 25 to 27 in which at least one of the mould altering members is inserted in the cavity prior to placing the cable connector in the cavity. 29. A method as claimed in any of Claims 25 to 28 in 15 which the method comprises locating the cable connector in the cavity by engaging the cable connector with a corresponding connecting means at one end of the cavity. 30. A method as claimed in any of Claims 25 to 30 in which the method comprises the step of inserting a pair 20 of core members into the cavity to define a pair of bores to accommodate fixing screws on each side of the connector housing. - 31 31. A method as claimed in any of Claims 25 to 30 in which the method comprises the step of inserting a pair of mould altering members into the cavity on each side thereof to close off the sides of each cavity to reduce 5 the end of the connector housing from which the cable exits, the halves of each mould altering member when brought together forming a bore extending therethrough defining the cross sectional area of the cable. any preceding claim in which altering members comprises a the mould cavity for carrying 17. A mould as claimed in at least one of the mould plate member engagable in a legend thereon. 18. A mould as claimed in Claim 17 in which the means to receive the plate member is provided by a recess 15 formed in the mould cavity. 19. A mould as claimed in any preceding claim in which connecting means are provided at one end of the mould cavity for engaging the cable connector for locating the cable connector in the mould cavity. 20 20. A mould substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings . - 29 21. A method for altering the shape of a mould cavity of a mould of any of Claims 1 to 20 in which the method includes the step of inserting at least one of the mould altering members in the mould cavity. 5 22. A method as claimed in Claim 21 in which the method includes the step of inserting at least one of the mould altering members in the mould cavity by means of a hydraulic ram. 23. A method as claimed in Claim 21 or 22 in which at 10 least one of the mould altering members are slid into the mould cavity by means of a hydraulic ram. 24. A method for altering a mould cavity of a mould, the method being substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying 15 drawings. 25. A method for moulding a connector housing around a cable connector and cable to form a cable connector device, using a mould of any of Claims 1 to 20, the method comprising the steps of placing the cable 20 connector connected to the cable in the mould cavity, inserting at least one of the mould altering members into the mould cavity, and delivering plastics material in liquid form into the mould cavity. - 30 26. A method as claimed in Claim 25 in which the method comprises the steps of placing the cable connector and cable attached to the cable connector in portion of one mould part defining part of the mould cavity, and moving 5 screw on each side of the connector housing. 12. A mould as claimed in any preceding claim in which the mould comprises a carrier member for releasably mounting the mould altering members, the carrier member being slidable relative to the mould on guide means for 10 moving the mould altering members into and out of the mould cavity. 13. A mould as claimed in Claim 12 in which means to move the carrier member are provided. 14. A mould as claimed in Claim 13 in which the means 15 to move the carrier member is provided by a hydraulic ram. 15. A mould as claimed in any preceding claim in which at least one of the mould altering members is provided in two halves engagable in respective parts of the 20 mould, the mould altering members each having a recess defining half of a shield member for extending round the cable adjacent the connector housing. - 28 16. A mould as claimed in any preceding claim in which at least one of the mould altering members is provided in two halves engagable in respective parts of the mould for blanking off portion of the mould cavity adjacent

6. 6. A mould as claimed in any preceding claim in which 5 at least one of the mould altering members engages in one side of the cavity to reduce the width of the cavity.

7. A mould as claimed in any preceding claim in which at least one of the mould altering members comprises a 10 core pin for extending into the mould cavity to form a bore in the moulded connector housing.

8. A mould as claimed in Claim 7 in which each core pin forms a bore to accommodate a fixing screw.

9. A mould as claimed in any preceding claim in which a 15 plurality of pairs of mould altering members are provided, a pair of mould altering members being simultaneously engagable in the mould. 10. A mould as claimed in Claim 9 in which each mould altering member of a pair extend into respective sides 20 of the mould cavity to reduce the width of the mould cavity. - 27 11. A mould as claimed in Claim 9 in which each of a pair of mould altering members are provided by a core pin for extending into the mould cavity on each side thereof for forming a hole for accommodating a fixing

10. 37. A method for moulding a connector housing around a cable connector and cable connected to the connector, the method being substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings .