IES59552B2 - A cable connector assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A cable connector assembly comprises two cylindrical connectors (10) housing coaxial substantially cylindrical first and second mating members (14, 15). The mating members are engageable through relative rotational and translational movement. One of the mating members is free to rotate within its respective connector while the other mating member is fixed within its respective connector.

Description

The present invention relates to a cable connector assembly.

According to the present invention there is provided a cable connector assembly comprising a two cylindrical connectors housing coaxial substantially cylindrical first and second mating members, the mating members being engagible through relative rotational and translational movement, whereby one of the mating members is free to rotate within its respective connector while the other mating member is fixed within it respective connector.

Preferably, the first mating member has a number of studs on its external cylindrical surface and an internal cylindrical surface of the juxtaposed connector has a similar number of helical grooves, so disposed that, rotational movement of the respective connectors cause the studs to traverse the helical grooves causing relative translational movement between the connectors.

Preferably, the mating members are provided with complementary registration means, so disposed that, the mating members may only engage when in a unique rotational orientation with respect to one another.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: i- - 2 Figure 1 is an elevation view of a cable connector according to the invention; Figure 2 is an end view of the cable connector of Figure 1 of the drawings; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along a longitudinal plane of a male connector of a cable connector assembly according to the invention; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along a longitudinal plane of a female connector of a cable connector assembly according to the invention; and Figure 5 is an end view of the cable connector of Figure 3 of the drawings with the dust cap removed.

Referring now to the drawings wherein similar numerals have been used to indicate like parts, there is shown a cable connector generally indicated at 10 according to the invention. The connector 10 comprises a nylon tubular locking ring 11, into one end 12 of which a cable (not shown) is inserted. The opposite end 13 of the locking ring 11 houses either a male or a female member 14 and 15 respectively which have a plurality of complementary electrically conductive pins 16 and sockets (not shown), Figures 3 & 4. The members 14 and 15 are shown in outline for clarity. Each of the pins 16 and sockets are connected to respective wires of the cable, so that when two connectors 10 mate via the members 14 and 15, the resulting connection provides a continuous electrical circuit between the respective wires of the cables connected to the members 14 and 15.

In order to assemble the cable connector 10, a nylon gland nut 18 and a pressure ring 19 are first fed onto the cable. The cable is then fed into a rubber cylindrical sheath 20, which is provided with a flange 21 at its end through which the cable protrudes, providing a connector sub-assembly. The gland nut 18 is threaded at its end nearest the flange 21 and is provided with a grip portion 22, including two flats 44, Figure 2, allowing the gland nut 18 to be gripped manually or with a spanner.

Both the male and female members 14 and 15 are substantially cylindrical having a metal outer surface with an external flange 17 mid-way along their length. Both the pins 16 and sockets lie on axes parallel to the 15 longitudinal axis of the respective members 14 and 15.

The pins 16 and sockets are disposed within the respective members 14 and 15, so that the members 14 and may only mate when offered to one another at a unique rotational orientation with respect to one another. The 20 pins 16 of the male member 14 are recessed within the member 14. The internal surface of the end 37 of the male member 14 surrounding the pins 16 has a number of longitudinal slots 33. The slots 33 are arranged so that they engage corresponding abutments 35 formed on the external surface of the end 34 of the female member 15.

The asymmetry of the slots and abutments 33 and 35 also ensures that the members 14 and 15 may only mate when offered to one another at a unique rotational orientation with respect to one another.

The members 14 and 15 are connected to the connector sub-assembly via a nylon insert 23. The insert 23 comprises several adjoining cylindrical section 24-28. The sections narrow in both internal and external diameter from the outside sections 24 and 28, whose external diameters are substantially equal to the internal diameter of the locking ring 11, to a waist section 26. The section 24 is provided with an O-ring ? 29, to keep the insert 23 in place when it is inserted into the locking ring 11. t A flange 30 is provided on the internal surface of the locking ring 11 at its end 13. When the insert 23 abuts the flange 30, the opposite end 24 protrudes from the end 12 of the locking ring 11. The internal surface of the end 24 of the insert 23 is threaded, so that when the connector sub-assembly is inserted into the insert 23, the gland nut 18 may be screwed into the insert 23, thus fixing the sub-assembly to the insert 23. If the gland nut 18 is tightened, the rigid pressure ring 19 is brought to bear against the flange 21 causing it to distort, so that it presses against the cable and the internal surface of the insert 23, thus making the connection watertight.

The rear end 31 of both the male and female member 14 and 15, being the end opposite to which the members and 15 mate, is threaded. A tubular metal insert 32 is push fitted into the section 28 of the insert 23. The internal surface of the insert 32 is threaded, so that the rear end 31 of either the male or female member 14, may be fixed to the insert 23. When fully screwed into place the flange 17 on both the male and female members 14 and 15 abuts the flange 30 formed on the locking ring 11.

Once the connector sub-assembly is connected to the » insert 23, the cable is drawn through the locking ring 11 and the wires are soldered to the respective pins 16 v or sockets, which project from the rear end 31 of the members 14 and 15. The members 14 and 15 are then screwed into respective inserts 32, while the cable is withdrawn from the connector to remove any slack. The ' gland nut 18 is then tightened to seal the connection.

A problem exists, however, in providing a connector assembly in which the members 14 and 15 may be locked together, so that both rotational and longitudinal pressure is required in order to break the connection, while it is also desirable that each cable connector may be easily assembled and disassembled.

A bayonet fit is provided through the addition of three studs 36, located on the external surface of the end 37 of the male member 14, and a metal insert 38 with three helical grooves 39, which is push fitted into the 15 end 13 of the locking ring 11. (In the case of the female connector, the end of the insert 38 facing into the locking ring 11 forms the flange 30 against which the insert 23 abuts when in use.) In order to make the connection between to cable connectors, the male member 14 is offered up to the female member 15, with the slots 33 and the abutments 35 in register. The male member 14 is simultaneously pushed and twisted until the studs 36 come into register with the helical grooves 39. Further twisting of the male member 14 causes the studs 36 to be drawn into the grooves 39 causing the male and female member 14 and 15 to engage laterally, with the pins 16 of the male member 14 penetrating the respective sockets of the female member 15. '1 In order for such a connection to operate correctly, only one of the respective inserts 23 connected to the male or female members 14 and 15 may be free to rotate 35 within the locking ring 11. The locking ring 11 which houses the male member 14 has a lip 42 which protrudes beyond the flange 30. The flange 17 of the male member has three slots 40 removed and the lip 42 is provided , with three complementary tabs 41. During assembly of the cable connector 10 housing the male member 14, rotation of the insert 23 and the male member 14 with respect to one another causes the male member 14 to be drawn into the locking ring 11 and consequently the tabs 41 engage the slots 40. Thus, the male member 14 is not free to rotate within the locking ring 11 and so when the male member 14 mates with the female member 15, the female member 15 and its respective insert 23 rotate within the respective locking ring 11, to allow the studs 36 to rotate around the helical grooves 39.

When not in use, the end 13 of the locking ring 11 is closed off by a dust cap 43 which is pushed over the end 13 of the locking ring 11. The dust cap 43 is provided with a hole 45 through which a steel rope (not shown) is threaded. The steel rope is further threaded through a hole 46 in the gland nut 18, so that when in use the dust cap 43 is fixed to the connector 10. When in place, the steel rope is terminated at its ends with crimps which prevent the steel rope from being withdrawn fully from the gland nut 18 or the dust cap 43.

I CLAIMS:

Claims (4)

CLAIMS:

1. A cable connector assembly comprising a two cylindrical connectors housing coaxial substantially 5 cylindrical first and second mating members, the mating members being engagible through relative rotational and translational movement, whereby one of the mating members is free to rotate within its respective connector while the other mating member is fixed within 10 it respective connector.

2. A cable connector assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first mating member has a number of studs on its external cylindrical surface and an internal 15 cylindrical surface of the juxtaposed connector has a similar number of helical grooves, so disposed that, rotational movement of the respective connectors cause the studs to traverse the helical grooves causing relative translational movement between the connectors.

3. A cable connector assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the mating members are provided with complementary registration means, so disposed that, the mating members may only engage when in a unique 25 rotational orientation with respect to one another.

4. A cable connector assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. F. R. KELLY & CO. Agents for the Applicants 1/4 in