ADJUSTABLE CONNECTOR FOR ELECTRICAL CABLE FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to accessories for electric cables. In particular, the present invention relates to adjustable connectors that are used to change the direction of electric cables.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Reinforced electric cables can be used in a wide variety of applications. These are particularly suitable for applications that require the wiring to be isolated from the surrounding environment. The construction of the cables allows them to be used in environments that are referred to as dangerous sites, as well as in non-hazardous sites. Traditionally, wiring runs in hazardous locations that use a rigid metal conduit. However, when allowed by applicable electrical codes, the shielded flexible cable may be used in place of the rigid conduit. In general, the rigid conduit is more difficult and more expensive to install than the shielded cable. Therefore, users prefer to use the shielded cable whenever allowed by electrical codes. The shielded cable typically includes a flexible housing of electrically conductive metal that protects the conductors lying there against abrasion, impacts and the like. In addition, the metal enclosure allows the cable to be connected to ground through its length. The outer lining of plastic or rubber typically covers the metal shell in such a way that it adds airtightness protection to the
cable, as well as the protection of the metallic lining against corrosive elements. Although the shielded cable is more flexible and easier to install than the rigid conduit, its radius of curvature can make it difficult to form tight bends and, therefore, installation at certain sites requires elbows or other accessories. In the past, a 90-degree bend in an armored power cable can be completed using either an assembly of different approved accessories (for example, an elbow connected to a straight fitting) or a short accessory of only 90 degrees. Similarly, accessories for other angles of curvature were used and, as a consequence, a user was required to have accessories for a variety of different angles. This was found as costs and inconvenience. Consequently, there is a need for an accessory to change the direction of a shielded electric cable, as well as other types of electric cables, which can be quickly and easily installed. There is an additional need for an adjustable connector for shielded and other electrical cables that can be folds in an electrical cable, shielded in a range of at least 0-90 degrees and preferably 0-135 degrees.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, an adjustable connector is provided for shielded and other types of electrical cables. The adjustable connector includes a body, a connector plug and a coupling nut. The body has a longitudinal axis, opposite ends and an opening that extends between them. One end is flanged with a tapered edge and one face that is angularly disposed to the longitudinal axis and the other end is a cable connector end. The connector plug has
a central axis, primary and secondary ends and an opening that extends between them. The first end has a coupling surface which is angularly disposed to the central axis and the coupling surface has a dovetail extending about half the outer perimeter. The dovetail can be formed as a continuous dovetail or a plurality of individual dovetails, spaced apart. In a preferred embodiment, the dovetail is formed as two separate dovetails with a notch between them. The coupling nut has first and second ends and an opening that extends between them with internal threading. The dovetail on the mating surface of the connector plug is adapted to receive the flanged end of the body and the coupling nut is threaded onto the connector plug to secure the flanged end to the dovetail. In the preferred modalities, the face of the flange at one end of the body is angularly disposed on the longitudinal axis at an angle of approximately 45 degrees and the coupling surface at the first end of the connector plug is angularly disposed to the central axis at an angle of approximately 45 degrees . When the face of the flange is connected to the coupling surface, the body and connector plug can be rotated in such a way that the connector forms several angles of elbowing. The adjustable connector can be oriented such that the body is connected to the connector plug and the longitudinal axis is substantially parallel to the central axis or the longitudinal axis is arranged with respect to the central axis at an angle of approximately 45 degrees, approximately 90 degrees or 135 degrees or at any intermediate angle. In another embodiment, the face of the flange at the end of the body is angularly disposed to the longitudinal axis at an angle of about 30 to 60.
degrees and the mating surface at the first end of the connector plug is angularly disposed to the central axis at an angle of approximately 30 to 60 degrees. Changing the angular arrangement of the flange and the coupling surface allows the connector to be oriented to provide an angle of curvature of 60 to 120 degrees. The connector plug may have an outer surface that is threaded in the region adjacent the coupling surface end to receive the coupling nut. The coupling nut preferably contacts the flanged end at a point opposite the dovetail to secure the flange to the connector plug. The cable connects the end of the body and the second end of the connector plug opposite the coupling surface can be threaded and adapted to receive the threaded cable fitting. In a preferred embodiment, the flanged end has marks of an angular arrangement of the adjustable connector on its surface and the dovetail has a notch near the connector socket. When the flanged end is secured in the dovetail and oriented to the preferred angles (eg, 45, 90, 135 or 180 degrees) the mark is observable through the notch. This allows the user to verify that the adjustable connector is properly oriented. In a second embodiment of the adjustable connector, the adjustable connector includes a body, a connector plug and a coupling nut. The body has a longitudinal axis and includes a first cable connector end and a first coupling end and an opening extending therebetween. The first coupling end has a flange with a tapered edge and a face that is angularly disposed to the longitudinal axis. The connector plug has a central shaft and includes a second cable connector end and a second coupling end and an opening extending therebetween. The outer surface of the connector plug adjacent to the
The second coupling end is threaded and adapted to receive the coupling nut. The second coupling end of the connector plug has a flange which is angularly disposed to the central axis and a dovetail along the perimeter of the flange. Preferably, the dovetail extends about half the outer perimeter. The dovetail is adapted to receive the flange of the first coupling end and the coupling nut is screwed into the connector plug to secure the flange of the first fitting end and the coupling nut is screwed into the connector plug to secure the flange of the first coupling end in the dovetail. Preferably, the dovetail of the second coupling end rotatably receives the flange of the first coupling end. The dovetail may be located at the end coupling end arranged angularly at a maximum distance from the second cable connector end and the coupling nut makes contact with the flange of the first coupling end at a point opposite the dovetail. The dovetail can also include an outer surface that has one or more finger attachment points that facilitate the joining of the two coupling ends. The attachment points for the fingers are formed by one or more protuberances extending radially from the dovetail or by one or more raised members in the dovetail, preferably a plurality of substantially parallel ribs. The flange of the first coupling end may have marks of the angular arrangement of the adjustable connector and the dovetail of the second coupling end may have a notch. The marks are observable through the notch when the flange of the first coupling end is secured in the dovetail.
The coupling nut has a first end with a perimeter edge. The afteonado bode of the flange of the first coupling end has a plurality of recessed portions which are positioned in such a way that the perimetric edge contacts one or more recessed portions when the coupling nut is tightened. Preferably, the recessed portions are arranged in a plurality of pairs such that two points of the perimeter edge of the coupling nut contact one of the pairs when the body is oriented with respect to the connector plug at an angle of 45, 90, 135 or 180 degrees. In a third embodiment, the adjustable connector includes a body, a connector plug, a first coupler and two coupling nuts. The body and connector plug are the same as described above for the second embodiment. The first coupler has a longitudinal axis and includes a first coupling end having a flange with a tapered edge that is angularly disposed to the longitudinal axis, a second coupling end has a flange with a dovetail angularly disposed on the longitudinal axis and an axial trajectory that extends between them. The first coupling nut is screwed into the connector plug and the second coupling nut is screwed into the first coupler. The dovetail of the connector plug is adapted to receive the flange of the first coupler and the first coupling nut is tightened to secure the flange of the first coupler in the dovetail of the connector plug. The dovetail of the first coupler is adapted to receive the flange of the first coupling end and the second coupling nut is tightened to secure the flange of the first coupling end on the dovetail of the first coupler. The flange of the second coupling end has an external perimeter and the dovetail extends around one half of the outer perimeter. Similarly,
the flange on the first coupler has an external perimeter and the dovetail extends about half the outer perimeter. The dovetail of the plug connector rotatably receives the flange of the first coupler and the dovetail of the first coupler rotatably receives the flange of the body. The body flange may have a first marking of the angular arrangement of the body in relation to the first coupler and the dovetail of the first coupler may have a notch. The first marks are observable through the notch when the body flange is secured in the dovetail of the first coupler in predetermined orientations, such as 45, 90, 135 and 180 degrees. Similarly, the flange of the first coupler may have one. Second marking of the angular arrangement of the first coupler in relation to the dovetail connector plug of the connector plug may have a notch. The second marks are observable through the notch when the flange of the first coupler is secured in the dovetail of the connector plug in predetermined orientations, such as 45, 90, 135 and 180 degrees. The body can be connected to the first coupler and the first coupler can be connected to the connector plug such that the longitudinal axis of the body is substantially parallel to the central axis of the connector plug or the longitudinal axis of the body is arranged with respect to the central axis of the body. connector plug at an angle of approximately 45 degrees, approximately 90 degrees, approximately 135 degrees or approximately 180 degrees, or various angles from 0 to 180 degrees. The first coupler may have a shank section including the first coupling end and a shank end and a base section including the second coupling end and a sleeve end. The rod end is inserted through the second coupling nut and is received rotationally
by the end of the sleeve. The rod section rotates freely with respect to the base section until the second coupling nut is adjusted. The adjustable connector may also include a second coupler that is the same as the first coupler. The second coupler can be connected to the first coupler and the body or that can be connected to the first coupler and the connector plug.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
The preferred embodiments of the adjustable cable attachment of the present invention, as well as other objects, features and advantages of this invention, will be apparent from the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1A-B are a top view and a view sectioned of an embodiment of the adjustable connector of the present invention in the unlocked position. Figures 2A-B are a top view and a sectional view of an embodiment of the adjustable connector of the present invention in the locked position. Figure 3A is a bottom view of one embodiment of the central component of the adjustable connector of the present invention. Figure 3B is a bottom view of one embodiment of the adjustable connector body component of the present invention. Figure 4A is a perspective view of one embodiment of the central component of the adjustable connector of the present invention. Figure 4B is a perspective view of one embodiment of the adjustable connector body component of the present invention. Figure 5A is a perspective view of a plug mode
connector and components of the adjustable connector body of the present invention with their axes in parallel relation. Figure 5B is a perspective view of one embodiment of the connector plug and components of the adjustable connector body of the present invention with their axes arranged at a right angle. Figure 6A is a perspective view of one embodiment of the connector plug and components of the body of the adjustable connector of the present invention with its axes in parallel relation. Figure 6B is a perspective view of an embodiment of the connector plug and body components of an adjustable connector of the present invention with their axes arranged at a right angle. Figure 7A is a side view of one embodiment of the connector plug and components of the adjustable connector body of the present invention with their axes in parallel relation. Figure 7B is a side view of one embodiment of the connector plug and components of the adjustable connector body of the present invention with their axes arranged at a right angle. Figures 8A-B are top views and a sectional view of an embodiment of the adjustable connector of the present invention in the unlocking position. Figures 9A-B are top views and a side sectional view of an embodiment of the adjustable connector of the present invention with the body and plug connector disposed at a right angle. Figures 10 A-C are side views, and an end view and a sectional view of an embodiment of an adjustable connector of the present invention that includes the body, the connector plug and the components of the coupler arranged
coaxially 11A-C are side views, and an end view and sectional view of an embodiment of an adjustable connector of the present invention that includes the body, connector plug and coupler components that form a 90 degree bend. 12A-C are side views, and a sectional view and a bottom view of an embodiment of an adjustable connector of the present invention that includes a body, a connector plug and coupler components that form a 45 degree bend. Figures 13A-B are a side view and a perspective view of one embodiment of an adjustable connector of the present invention that includes the body, the connector plug and two coupler components that form a 135 degree bend. Figures 14A-B are detailed views of the coupler component shown in Figures 10A-11 B. Figures 15A-B are perspective views illustrating the relationship between a flanged end and a coupling of one embodiment of the connector of the present invention. Figures 16A-B are perspective views illustrating the relationship between a flanged end and a coupling of one embodiment of the connector of the present invention. Figures 17A-B are perspective views illustrating the relationship between a flanged end and a coupling of one embodiment of the connector of the present invention. Figures 18A-C are perspective, side and top views of a
modality of the body section of the adjustable connector with marks on the upper surface of the flange. FIGS. 19A-B are perspective and side views of an embodiment of the plug connector section of the adjustable connector with fingers fastening points on the dovetail.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an adjustable connector (also referred to herein as an "accessory" or "connector") that is used with other types of electrical cables or shielded to bend the cable process. In general, shielded cables are made of coated metal and contain one or more individually insulated conductors. Preferentially, the shielded electric cable is a shielded, flexible, shielded aluminum cable that has an internal PVC jacket on the insulated conductors as well as an external PVC jacket on the shielded. Said cables are referred to herein as "teck-type cables". However, the invention is not limited to be used with teck or other types of shielded cables and can be used with any electrical cable. As used herein, the term "shielded electrical cable" means a metal (eg, steel, aluminum or brass) or a conduit or cable other than metal (eg, plastic) that has a corrugated, flexible construction with or without an interlocked propeller, covered or uncovered or lined or unlined (example: with a PVC wrap or liner). The present invention relates to adjustable accessories or connectors that are used to bend in electric cables. The connectors have two or more components that have openings which extend substantially from
straight way through the components. This allows the cables to be easily inserted directly into each of the straight components of the accessory without having to bend the cable to conform to the shape of the accessory, which is typically the case with the accessory elbows. This eliminates the struggle of pre-bending the cable and forces the cable to be tied through a 90 degree elbow. Traditional rigid 45 or 90 degree fittings need to be disassembled into separate components before a prepared cable is inserted and then reassembled when the cable is in place. With respect to the shielded cables, the "prepared cable" means a shielded cable with an outer protective layer and / or the armored portion removed in such a way that the cable is compatible with the connector. The connectors of the present invention can be disassembled into separate components and the cable inserted through the separate components or the connectors can remain assembled during cable insertion. Before placing the cable, the adjustable connectors can be rotated in a variety of configurations to facilitate insertion of the cable by the user. In a preferred configuration, the axes of two or more components forming the connector are aligned and form an opening that runs substantially straight through the connector without any doubles. This "end-to-end" configuration facilitates cable insertion. After the cable is placed and bent it needs to make the connector components rotated (or rotated) to form the desired angle and then secured in position with the coupling nut. The angle formed by the connector can vary from 0 to 90 degrees before the connector is locked in its final position. In some applications, the user may find it more convenient to adjust the connector to a specific angle before inserting the cable. In other applications, the user may choose not to adjust the coupling nut in such a way that the cable and the connector do not get stuck in the
position. When a bend is made in an electric cable, the bending of the conductors takes place only at a point inside the fitting. This is a major improvement over the elbows of the prior art, where all the cable laid needs to be pre-bent and forced through the bent angle of the elbow. The end-to-end configuration of the accessory components of the present invention provides openings in the body and connector plug that are aligned and concentric. The angularly disposed flanged end of the body and the angularly disposed flanged end of the connector plug each have elliptically shaped openings with a major axis (i.e. the maximum distance between opposite sides of the opening) and a minor axis (i.e. the minimum distance between the opposite sides of the opening). When the body and plug connector are rotated to form different angles for the connector, the minimum opening in the connector is at least equal to the minor axis of the body or plug connector (whichever is smaller). The adjustable connector includes a body and a connector plug rotatably coupled together with each member that can be rotated with respect to each other between a first position, wherein the body and the connector plug extend in a longitudinal alignment to provide a vertical connection, and a second position, where the longitudinal axes of the body and the connector plug extend at an angle of 90 degrees with respect to another axis to provide a 90 degree connection. The body and connector plug may also be connected at an angle between the first and second positions by rotating the body and connector plug to a desired orientation and then adjusting the coupling nut on the connector plug to adjust the position of the body with respect to the plug connector In the first mode, the accessory connector has two sections, the
body and plug connector, each is provided with a coupling flange and its corresponding coupling ends to connect the two sections together. The faces of the coupling flanges extend angularly with respect to the longitudinal axes of the body and the connector plug, preferably between 30 and 60 degrees and more preferably at 45 degrees. The face of each flange is slidable and rotatably engages with another when the body is connected to the connector plug. One of the coupling flanges (preferably on the connector plug) is provided with a dovetail that extends along a portion of its perimeter edge that receives the aft edge of the other coupling flange (preferably on the body) in a dovetail relationship. Specifically, the edge surface of the affixed coupling flange slides in and is received by the dovetail on the complementary edge of the other coupling flange. A coupling nut contacts the coupling flange of the body to a point opposite the dovetail and is fixed to secure the two coupling flanges in position. Advantageously, the edges of the coupling flange received by the dovetail have hollow portions (that is, the edges are chamfered) located along the edge of the coupling flange in a manner complementary to the edge of the coupling nut. One of the coupling flanges (preferably on the connector plug) is provided with a dovetail that extends along a portion of its perimeter edge that receives the aft edge of the other coupling flange (preferably on the body) in a dovetail relationship. Specifically, the outer surface of the flange of the affixed coupling flange slides in and is received by the dovetail on the complementary edge of the other coupling flange. A coupling nut contacts the coupling flange of the body at an opposite point of the dovetail and is adjusted to secure the two
coupling flanges in position. Advantageously, the edges of the coupling flange received by the dovetail have hollow portions (ie, the edges are chamfered) located along the edge of the coupling flange in a manner complementary to the edge of the coupling nut. The coupling nut is internally threaded and coaxially mounted around the connector plug near the flanged end. After the coupling flanges are joined, the coupling nut is tightened to secure the body and connector plug in any desired relative angular position. In the tight position, the coupling nut is tightly adjusted against the external surface affixed to the perimeter edge of the flange to secure the body and connector plug together in the desired position. (Coupling or inter-locking of the edges of the coupling nut with the afflicted flange surface is discussed in more detail below). Loosening the coupling nut allows the body and central members to be rotated at any angular orientation with respect to each other. The sliding faces of the coupling flanges allow a continuous rotation of 360 degrees until the coupling nut engages the body and the connector plug in position at a selected angle. The external surface at the edge of the flange in the body can advantageously be provided with pins (ie, recessed or chamfered portions) which engage the edge of the coupling nut. Preferably, the knockouts are arranged in pairs in such a way that the two points along the perimetric edge of the coupling nut conform to the knockouts. The locking nut in combination with the firmly clamped nuts secures the coupling flanges together and provides protection against vibration. The accessory connector is particularly advantageous as it provides
an objective axial alignment of the components. Consequently, there is no unbalance when the cable passes through two sections of the fixture until the sections are rotated to a desired orientation. This provides an initial point-to-tip connection which is advantageous, especially for cables having a long diameter. In addition, the adjustable connector can be easily disconnected, even with the conductors in the fitting, since the end-to-end connection facilitates the disconnection of the body in the connector plug. In a preferred embodiment, the outer surface of the dovetail can be provided with a handle to facilitate installation by hand. The handle may be formed by one or more protrusions or ribs extending radially from the dovetail or may be formed by one or more grooves or depressions in the dovetail. The adjustable connector can be constructed from a metal or plastic material, preferably by a molding process. In addition, the adjustable connector can include the capabilities of self draining through a drain hole in the connector plug that allows drainage of the fitting when it is oriented at any angle. The openings in the body and in the connector plug can be provided with rounded inner surfaces to protect the cable from being cut or peeled by sharp edges. In addition, the fitting can be provided with an airtight O-ring to seal the connection between the two coupling flanges. The O-ring can be mounted in a substantially circular recess in the face of one of the coupling flanges, preferably the connector plug. For long cables, the angular arrangement of the coupling flanges with respect to their longitudinal axes may be reduced to provide a
more gradual curvature of the cable. Preferably, the accessories for the longer cables have flanges with faces arranged at 22.5 degrees instead of 45 degrees to provide an increased radius of curvature. In this modality, two sets of adjustable connectors at 45 degrees are used to provide a 90 degree connection. Each connector has two coupling flanges with the faces of the flanges arranged at 22.5 degrees from the shaft to form the 45-degree connector. Installing the two connectors in series provides a 90 degree connection. In another embodiment, a coupler is installed between the body and the connector plug of the first mode of the adjustable connector. One end of the coupler has a coupling flange with a tapered edge similar to that of the body and the other end of the coupler has a coupling flange with a dovetail. The flanged and dovetail of the flange are formed in the same way as the flanges on the body and the connector plug. The clamped flange of the coupler engages the dovetail of the flange connector plug and the dovetail of the coupler flange that engages the body flange. The coupler can also have two flanges that can be used to connect the coupler to the connectors on each end. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, different combinations of flanged flanges and flanges with dovetail on the body, connector plug and are coupled with their faces arranged at various angles from their axes can be used in order to provide a universal connection at any angle or a specifically shaped connection. When the coupling nut is engaged and secured in the afghan flange, an adjustable three-part connector (connector plug, coupling nut and body) secures all three XYZ rotation axes of the adjustable connector and all three XYZ linear movements. Referring to the drawings, Figures 1A to 9B show a modality
of the connector 10 which includes a body 12 and a connector plug secured together by a coupling nut 34. The body 12 has a cable connection end 22 having a plurality of threads 20 having a plurality of threads 20 and a neck 28 which extends from a hexagonal fitting 18 and terminates at a flanged end 26 which is a substantially planar surface 14 (Figure 36) which is angularly disposed on the axis of the neck 28 and has a tapered edge 16. A cable (not shown) can be passed through the connection end 22 and through an opening 24 in the flanged end 26 (Figure 3B). The connector plug is connected to an electrical cable (not shown) at one end 42 using the threading 40 on the outer surface and has a flanged end 44 which is angularly disposed on the axis of the connector plug and has an opening 38 (Fig. 3A) through which the cable passes. The angular arrangement of the flanged end 44 of the connector plug corresponds to the angular arrangement of the flanged end 26 of the body 12. The flanged end 44 has a dovetail 32 extending about half of an outer perimeter and having a number of outgoing fasteners / tool 46 in the periphery. The flanged end 44 of the connector plug is joined to the flanged end 26 of the body 12 with the dovetail 32 encircling a portion of the aft edge 16. As can be seen in FIGS. 4A, 5A and 6A, the dovetail 32 is separated into two segments and has a space or spacing 36 between the sections that serve as a visual inspection port to ensure that the set edge 16 is fully inserted into the dovetail 32. Referring to Figures 1A-B and 2A-B , Figures 1A-1 B show the connector 10 in its unlocked position. The embossed edge 16 of the flanged end 26 is not coupled by the coupling nut and is therefore free to rotate or rotate inside.
of the dovetail 32. This rotation or rotation allows the user to adjust the angular arrangement of the body 12 relative to the connector plug. After the desired angle is achieved, the coupling nut 34 is adjusted and engages the aft edge 16 of the flanged end 26, which prevents the body 12 from rotating or rotating further. Figures 2A-B show the connector 10 in the locked position with the coupling nut 34 coupled to the aft edge 16 and prevent movement of the body 12. Loosening the coupling nut 34 allows the user to rotate and re-adjust the orientation of the body 12 The coupling nut 34 is designed to overlap one side of the flanged end 26 and force the other side of the flanged end 26 into the dovetail 32. The coupling nut 34 can be completely removed from the body 12, but this only has to be removed. to be rotated in one or two turns to disconnect the flanged end 26 from the dovetail 32 and to separate the body 12 from the connector plug. Loosening the coupling nut 34 releases the flanged end 26 in such a way that it can be repositioned in the dovetail 32 to adjust the angle of the connector 10. At the same time, the coupling nut 34 retains the flanged end 26 in the tail of the coupling. 32 so that the connector plug is not completely separated from the body 12. Figures 1 B and 2B show a rib 48 on the connector plug, near the coupling nut 34. This rib 48 is for aesthetic purposes and does not form a stop for the nut 34. However, when the connector 10 is oriented in certain positions, the circular rib 48 diverts the water away from the nut 34. Figures 1B and 2B are cross-sectional views of the connector plug and show the internal diameter of the connector plug decreasing in stages from the end 42 where the electric cable (not shown) is connected to form three separate chambers 43, 45, 47. When a shielded cable is used with the connector 10, the first chamber 43 receives the electric cable, the second chamber 45 receives the portion of the electric cable that has the
external protective coating removed and the third chamber 47 receives the electric cable with the external protective coating and the armored layer removed. When an unshielded cable is used with the connector 10, the first chamber 43 and the second chamber 45 receive the electric cable portion and the third chamber 47 receives the electric cable with the external protective sheath removed. Figures 3A and 4A show a groove 50 in the flanged end 44 of the connector plug contacting the flat surface 14 of the flanged end 26 of the body 12 when the connector 10 is assembled. An O-ring (not shown) can be inserted into this slot 50 such that when the body 12 is connected to the connector plug, the O-ring seals off dust and moisture. While the slot 50 is shown at the flanged end 44, it can also be located on the flat surface 14 of the body 12, if desired. Figure 4b shows the flat surface 14 of the flanged end 26 of the body 12 which is sealed by the O-ring. The threads 20 at the connecting end of the cable 22 can be used to connect the body 12 to the cable or to a fence. Figures 5a and 6A show the adjustable connector 10 with the body 12 and the connector plug oriented such that when they are joined, they form a "tip-to-tip" connector. This configuration is preferred when the cable (not shown) is initially installed in the connector 10. After the cable is pulled through the connector 10, the body 12 and the connector plug can be rotated as shown in Figures 5B to form an angle of 90 degrees. The coupling nut 34 is then threaded into the connector plug and adjusted to secure the connector 10 in the desired orientation. Referring to Figure 7A, the threads 52 for the coupling nut 34 in this embodiment are not cut on the surface of a round tube, but instead of
this the slots 52 are cut on the flat surfaces 54 in the connector plug. Therefore, the threads 52 effectively disappear at the points corresponding to the midpoint of the flat surfaces 54. The flattened threads 52 can also be seen in Figures 3A, 4A and 5A. The coupling nut 34 is placed in the connector plug before the cable (not shown) is installed but the coupling nut 34 is not adjusted until the adjustable connector 10 is oriented in the desired position. Figure 7B shows the connector 10 oriented to provide a 90 degree angle. Figures 8A and 8B show the adjustable connector 10 in a vertical angle or 180 degree configuration. The openings in the body 12 and the connector plug are aligned in such a way that a cable (not shown) enters the end of the connector of the cable 42 of the connector plug (ie, the end of the connector plug with the threads 40) and passes from vertically through the end of the cable connector 22 of the body 12. Figures 9A and 9B show the adjustable connector 10 is oriented in such a way that the axes of the body 12 and the connector plug form a 90 degree angle. A cable (not shown) enters the connector end of the cable 42 of the connector plug that bends 90 degrees as it passes through the opening 24 in the body 12 and exits at the end of the cable connector 22. Figure 9B It shows how the shoulder 31 on the connector plug and the shoulder 31 on the body 12 are rounded to minimize any damage to the cable. Figures 10A-C and 11A-C show another embodiment of the present invention wherein the connector 110 has three components, a body, 112, a connector 130 and between them a coupler 160. The attachment points for the fingers 146, 170 shown on the outer surface of the dovetail, 132, 162 in Figures 10A-
C are raised members or ribs, which are different from the fastening points for fingers 46 shown in Figures 1A-9B, but can be used. Connectors 110, 210, 310 shown in Figures 10A-13B are for cables of larger diameter that do not easily bend and, therefore, have a greater radius of curvature, which requires connectors 1 10, 210, 310, with a Longest radius of curvature. Referring to Figures 10A-C and 11A-C, the body 12 has a hexagonal fitting 118, a neck 128 and a flanged end 126 with a tapered edge 116. The coupler 160 has a dovetail 162 at one end, a coupling nut 164 a neck 166 and a flanged end 168 with a tapered edge 172, which is connected to the connector plug 130. The connector plug 130 has a dovetail 132 with hand holders 146 and a clamping nut 134 for coupling the flanged end 168 of coupling 160. Figures 10A-C show an adjustable connector 1 10 configured in such a way that opening 111 through connector 110 is substantially straight. When a cable (not shown) is inserted into the connector 110, it easily passes through until the connector 110 reaches the desired location along with the placement of the cable. The connector 110 can then be oriented to provide the desired angle of curvature before the coupling nuts 134, 164 are adjusted to secure the connector 1 0 in place. Figures 11A-C show how the components (i.e., body 112, coupler 160 and connector plug 130) of connector 1 10 are reconfigured by rotating coupler 160 and connector plug 130 forms a 90 degree bend. After the connector 110 is configured for a 90 degree bend, or any other desired angle, the coupling nuts 134, 164 are adjusted to secure the flanged ends 126, 168 in the fixed position. When the connector 110 in Figure 11 b is compared to the connector 10 in Figure 9B, it is
It is readily apparent that the coupler 160 provides a long bend radius for the cable (not shown) within the connector 110. FIGS. 12A-C show a connector 210 used for longer cables, which is a longer version of the connector in the Figures 1A-9B. The connector 210 has the same operating principle, where the flanged end 226 of the body 212 rotates in the dovetail 232 of the connector plug 230 until a desired orientation is achieved. The connector 210 is then held at an angle by clamping the coupling nut 234. The connector 210 is then maintained at an angle by adjusting the coupling nut 234. The connector 210 includes a body 212 having a hexagonal fitting 218, a neck 228 and an end flanged 226 with a flanged edge 216, and a connector plug 230 having a dovetail 232 and a coupling nut 234. Figures 13A-B show another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the connector 310 has four components, a body 312 and a connector plug 330 and two couplers 360, 380 disposed therebetween. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment shown in Figures 10A-C and 11A-C except a second coupler 380 is included. The second coupler 380 provides greater flexibility so that the connector 310 can have additional configurations. In addition, the second coupler 380 also provides a longer double radius which is necessary for long diametral cables. The body 312 has a hexagonal fitting 318, a neck 328 and a flanged end 326 and the connector plug 330 having a dovetail 332 and a coupling nut 334. The first coupler 360 has a dovetail 362 at one end, a coupling nut 364 a neck 366 and a flanged end 368 with a flanged edge 372, which is connected to the connector plug 330. The second coupler 380 has a dovetail 382 at one end which is connected to the flanged end 326 of the body 312, a coupling nut 384, a neck 362 of the first coupler 360.
Although Figures 134-B show a connecting 310 with two couplers 360, 380, the invention is not limited to two couplers 360, 380 and additional couplers can be added. Figures 14A-B show a detail of the coupler 160 which is used in the connector 110 shown in Figures 10A-C and 1A-C. The coupler 160 in Figure 14A-B is substantially the same as the couplers 360, 380 shown in Figures 13A-B. The coupler 160 has two different sections, a rod 166 and a base 174, wherein the first end of the rod 166 is slidably received by the first end of the base 174. The second end of the rod 166 is a flanged end 168 with an edge festooned 172, which is disposed at an angle to the axis of the rod 166. The second end of the base 174 has a dovetail 162. After the coupling nut 164 (FIGS. 1A-C) is placed on the stem 166 , the rod 166 is inserted into the base 174 and can be adjusted in a fixed orientation by adjusting the coupling nut 164 on the threaded end 176 of the base 174 such that the flanged end 168 of the rod 166 and the dovetail 162 of the base 174 are in a fixed ratio. However, in another embodiment, after the end 166 is inserted into the base 174, the rod 166 is not adjusted in a fixed position and is allowed to rotate freely at 360 degrees such that the angularly arranged flanged end 168 can connect to another component of connecting 110 to a variety of angles. Once the coupler 160 is fixed to the desired orientation, the rod 166 is locked in position by adjusting the coupling nut 164 so that it can not rotate further. Referring now to the convoluted edges or waves 16 at the flanged end 26 of the body 12 (FIG. 4B) and the convoluted ends 172 at the flanged end 168 of the coupler 160 (FIG. 14B), while these convoluted 16, 172 can serve
as finger holding points to help rotate the body 12 or coupler 160, these also have a total separation purpose which can be better explained by referring to the line of drawings shown in Figures 15-17. These students are located to select pre-selected angles such as 22.5, 45, 90 and / or 180 (or zero) degrees. Not all angles need to be accommodated in a single connector and a connector can be manufactured with the position of these aftershocks 16, 172 moved or changed to accommodate other pre-selected degrees desired by the user. Figures 15A 17B illustrate the rotating / rotating operation of the connectors of the present invention. Figures 15A-B show a coupling nut represented by a cylinder 434 and a flanged end represented by a conical section 426, wherein the flanged end / conical section 426 is unlocked from the coupling nut / cylinder 434, but continues being in place due to the coupling nut / cylinder 434. The edge 416 (the affixed portion not shown) of the flanged end / conical section 426 is represented by the longer end of the flanged end / conical section 426. In the position unlatched shown in Figures 15A-B, the contact is made between the edge 416 of the flanged end / conical section 426 and the coupling nut / cylinder 434 at two points 490, 492 (Figure 15A) and a small portion 494 of the edge 416 is extends into the coupling nut / cylinder 434 (Figure 15B). The two contact points 490, 492 between the edge 416 and the coupling nut 434 are spaced apart by a sufficient distance to allow the coupling nut / cylinder 434 and the flanged end / conical section 426 to rotate independently. Figures 16A-B illustrate the operation of the embossed edge 516 of the conical section / flanged end 526 and the coupling nut / cylinder 534. Custom
that the coupling nut / cylinder 534 is adjusted, this moves closer to, or invades up to, the flanged end / conical section 526. Figures 16A-B show only a notch for the afted edge 516, but it is only representative and understands that the embossed edge 516 consists of a plurality of notches. Accordingly, as the coupling / cylinder nut 534 is rotated and adjusted, it "raises" the flanged end 526 (illustrated in Figures 16A-B as the longer end of the conical section) and begins to engage the notches of the coupling. the embossed edge 516 at one or more points 590, 592. The second point 592 is on the far side of the conical section and, therefore, is not clearly visible in Figures 16A-B. Coupling nut / cylinder 534 further extends over the flanged end / conical section 526 as it is adjusted and, consequently, the spacing between the two contact points 590, 592 decreases. Figures 16A-B show that the coupler nut / cylinder 534 contacts only one point 590 on one side of the afterthought and that the opposite side is not yet coupled by the coupler nut / cylinder 534. Figures 17A-B show the coupling nut / cylinder 534 in the total locking position with the angular relationship between the coupling nut / cylinder 534 and the flanged end / conical section 526 in a fixed position. The coupler nut 534 / cylinder continues to "climb" the longer end of the conical section representing the flanged end / conical section 526 in addition to that shown in Figures 16A-B and contacts the notch at the afted edge 516 at two points 590, 591 (that is, the opposite sides of the same notch). The second point 591 of the contact abuts or "hand made" the edge of the coupling nut / cylinder 534 and provides a significant frictional force that increases as the coupling nut / cylinder 534 is adjusted. These friction or deflection forces and the set edge 516 (i.e., notches engaged by the coupling nut / cylinder 534) on both sides of the centerline of the
flanged end 526 prevents the flanged end / conical section 526 from a subsequent rotation with respect to the coupling nut / cylinder 534. The flanged end / conical section 526 can not rotate because a flanged end portion 526 extends below the nut coupler / cylinder 534. Accordingly, the contact points 590, 591, 592, 593 on the sides of the notches of the embossed edge 516 lock the flanged end / conical section 526 in place and prevent it from moving further. The notches in the set edge 516 can be configured for coupling through the coupling nut / cylinder 534 at the pre-set angles. If the flanged end / conical section 526 is placed at any angle apart from the configured angle (ie 30 degrees instead of 45 degrees), the flanged end / conical section 526 does not fully engage or tapped the coupling nut / cylinder 534 and the relationship between the flanged end / conical section 526 and the coupling nut / cylinder 534 is more like that shown in Figures 16A-B (or still in Figures 15A-B). The flanged end / conical section 526 is coupled by the coupling nut / cylinder 534, but is not locked in place since the flanged end / conical section 526 is only held in place by friction and notches in the aft edge 516 which is not they are coupled. The position of the coupling nut / cylinder 534 in Figures 15A-16B does not physically restrict the flanged end / conical section 526 from a subsequent movement, as is the case when the coupling nut is fully engaged as shown in Figures 17A -B. Figure 18A-C shows a body mode 712 of the adjustable connector 710 with a cable connector end 722 and a flanged end 726 connected by a neck 728 with a hexagonal accessory 718. The end of the connector
722 has ribs 720 for connecting the body 712 to a cable or enclosure (not shown) and the flanged end 726 has a plurality of convolutions 716 together with the perimeter edge and substantially a flat face 714. In addition, the upper surface of the flanged end 726 it has marks 725, 727 which provide a visual verification to the user that the body 712 is oriented towards designated angles with respect to any connector plug or a coupler (not shown). Figures 19A-B show one embodiment of the connector plug 630 having a cable connector end 642 with ribs 640 on the outer surface and a flanged end 644 with a dovetail 632 extending along a portion of the edge perimetric. The dovetail 632 has a notch 636 near its middle portion which allows the user to see the edge of a flange (not shown) inserted in the dovetail 632. The dovetail 632 also has a plurality of raised members 646 which are used as grip points for the fingers and facilitate the rotation of the coupling flange (not shown) in the dovetail 632. Therefore, although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, those skilled in The technician will realize that other modalities can be done without departing from the spirit of the invention, and attempts are made to include all those subsequent modifications and changes that come within the true scope of the claims set forth herein.