REMOTE CONTROL UNIT WITH ROTARY END ACCESSORY. TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to a remote control movement transmitter assembly of the type for transmitting movement in a curved path by a central flexible motion transmission element. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Cable control assemblies of the above type typically include a conduit that slidably supports a flexible central element whose opposite ends extend from the ends of the conduit to be connected at one end to a controller, such as a gear change selector. gear for the transmission of a motor vehicle, and for connecting at the opposite end to a remotely controlled element, such as the articulated gear mechanism located in the vehicle transmission. The ends of the conduit are provided with end fitting assemblies which are mounted on the supporting structure of the vehicle and fix the conduit so that it does not move longitudinally. This allows the central element to transmit the movement of the controller to the controlled element in the conventional push-pull manner. During installation, the conduit has a tendency to twist when it is directed along its path and fixed to the structure of the vehicle. The twisting makes it difficult to install the assembly and exerts an unwanted effort on the conduit, which can impede the movement of the central element.
U.S. Patent No. 5,383,377 in the name of Randy J. Boi e, issued January 24, 1995, and from the same owner as the present invention, discloses a cable control assembly having an end fitting connector rotary that allows the connector to rotate relative to the conduit to eliminate unwanted torsion. An end fitting or splint is molded onto one end of the duct and fixed so that it does not rotate. A connector body is then molded onto the end fitting, a non-adherent film of material (eg, PTFE) interposed therebetween so that the overmolded connector can rotate relative to the end fitting and the conduit. The connector has an annular recess that is molded around an annular flange of the end fitting which, by its construction, prevents removal of the end fitting from the connector. As the connector is molded in place around the end fitting, it is difficult to control the dimensional tolerance between the connector and the end fitting that is required to achieve good repeatable connector rotatability. Under-dimensioned end fittings prevent rotation, while overdimensioned end fittings provide too loose adjustment. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES A remote control movement transmitter assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention includes a conduit with opposite ends that slidably supports a central member with end portions extending from the ends of the conduit. An end fitting is attached to one end of the conduit and a cionector is disposed around the end fitting with mounting means for mounting the connector to a support structure. The connector includes a receptacle having an access hole for receiving and supporting the end fitting rotatably within the receptacle, and retaining means acting between the end fitting and the connector for retaining the end fitting so that it does not slip out. after the receptacle, while maintaining the relative rotability between the end fitting and the connector. Elastic hermetic means act between the end fitting and the connector when introducing the end accession in the receptacle to obtain and maintain a fluid tight seal between the end fitting and the connector during their relative rotation. This invention allows better dimensional tolerance control to obtain improved rotation between the end fitting and the connector by preforming both components separately before assembly, compared to overmolded construction. The manufacturer can pre-fabricate several different types of connectors beforehand and then install the appropriate connector on the end-access port for the particular end-use. The elastic sealing means are capable of providing a seal even during the relative rotation of the end fitting and the connector, protecting the central element from exposure to humidity and weathering conditions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other features and advantages of the invention will be more readily understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art when considered in conjunction with the following detailed description and drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a view exploded fragmentary perspective of the component parts of the invention. Figure 2 is a front elevational view, in section, of the components of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, but with the end fitting inserted into the cavity of the end fitting. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of Figure 3. Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, but showing the locking element displaced to the engaged position. And Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 3, but with the locking element moved to the engaged position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION A remote control movement transmitter assembly constructed in accordance with a presently preferred embodiment of the invention is generally indicated 10 in the drawings and includes a flexible conduit 12 extending longitudinally between opposite ends designated 14 and 16, respectively. The conduit 12 may be of the type known in the art which includes an inner plastic tube surrounded by a plurality of helically arranged long collet yarns, which are themselves surrounded by an outer plastic casing. A central movement transmitting element 18 is slidably supported within the conduit and has end portions 20, 22 extending from and beyond the conduit ends 14, 16. The central member 18 may be of the type known in the art. material, such as a flexible wire or cable. The ends of the central element 18 are provided with suitable connectors (not shown), which allow the central element to be connected at one end to a controller (not shown), such as the selector gear change mechanism of an automatic transmission, and in the opposite end to an element to be controlled (not shown) located at a distance, such as the articulated gear change mechanism provided in the transmission. The duct 12 is provided at an end 14 with an accessory, such as that shown at 28, which, by means of a flange with a hole 29, is adapted to be attached to the vehicle support structure (not shown). A ferrule or end fitting 30 is fixed to the other end 16 of the conduit 12 and is preferably molded by insertion around the conduit end 16 from rigid organic polymer material and is thereby fixed so as not to move axially or rotationally with connection to the conduit 12. As illustrated well in Figures 1 and 2, the end fitting 30 has cylindrical configuration in general and includes a plurality (preferably three) enlarged annular projections 32, 34, 36 axially spaced apart. one of the other to define between them a plurality (preferably two) of annular locking grooves or recesses 38, 40. Both the projections 32, 34, 36 and the grooves 38, 40 are arranged concentrically about the longitudinal axis of the conduit 12 and have uniform diameter. The projection 36 is formed at the forwardmost free end of the end fitting 30 and has an end face 42 extending transversely through and covers the end 16 of the conduit, and an annular flange 44 projecting axially from the face. at end 42 beyond conduit 12 defining a cylindrical recess or cavity 46 at the end of end fitting 30 forwardly of conduit end 16. End face 42 is provided with a central hole 48 that is aligned with the central passage of the duct 12 and provides a hole for the passage of the central element 18. The front projection 36 is relatively thicker in the axial dimension than the other projections 32, 34 and is provided with an annular external slot in 0 50 in which it fits an elastic ring at O 52 of predetermined diameter.
The end of the fitting 30 located opposite the end face 42 is provided with a radial burr 54 on which a bushing of heat resistant material (not shown) can be installed to give the assembly 10 a thermal shield. A preformed connector 56 has a molded body 57 that is molded separately from the end fitting 30 from a rigid organic polymer material and includes a base portion 58 provided with a cavity or pocket 60 having an access hole 62 that is axially extends to receptacle 60 and dimensioned to rotatably receive and support end fitting 30 within receptacle 60. Receptacle 60 is formed at one end of connector 56 and is defined in part by a generally planar transverse end wall 64 and a wall Rear transverse spaced adjacent 66. End and back walls 64, 66 are interconnected by a pair of axially extending side walls 68, 70, spaced laterally from one another by a distance relatively greater than the diameter of the end fitting 30. A lower reinforcing rib 72, extending axially, also joins the end and rear walls 64, 66 at the bottom of the connector 56 and, as shown well in Figures 4 and 5, is spaced at the sides of each of the side walls 68, 70 defining a pair of bottom holes 74, 76 on the connector 56. The axially spaced end and rear walls 64, 66 and laterally spaced side walls 68, 70 together define a transverse passage 78 having at the top of the connector 56 a hole 80 which is spaced from the access hole 62 and extends transversely to the connector 56 to the receptacle 60 in such a way that the passage 78 intersects the receptacle 60 approximately at right angles. As can be clearly seen in figures 3 and 4, the access hole 62 is provided in the end wall 64 and has a generally circular configuration corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the end fitting 30. The hole 62 has a size large enough so that the end fitting 30 can pass axially through the hole 62 and enter the receptacle 60, as illustrated by comparing Figures 2 and 6. Preferably, the hole 62 is circular and of diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the holes. annular protrusions 32, 34, 36. The rear wall 66 of the base portion 58 is provided with an axially concentric annular depression or recess 82 sized to receive and support the annular flange 44 of the end fitting 30 and has a relatively smaller diameter than the rim at 0 52 to radially deform or compress the rim at 052 between the radially outer wall 84 of the recess 82 and the lower part of the rim groove at O 50 des After fully inserting the end fitting 30 into the receptacle 60, to effect and maintain a fluid tight seal between the end fitting 30 and the connector 56, while allowing the connector 56 to rotate around the end fitting 30. The axial spacing between the recess 82 and the access hole 62 is generally equal to the axial spacing between the leading projection 36 and the rear projection 32 such that, when the end fitting 30 is fully inserted into the receptacle. 60, the rear projection 32 is supported within the access hole 62, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 6. As shown in Figure 4, it is preferred that the hole 62 have a relatively larger diameter than the projection 32 of so as not to hinder the relative rotation of the connector 56 and the end fitting 30. The coplanar alignment of the projection 36 within the hole 62 further serves to provide lateral support to the accessorie. or end 30 limiting the lateral tilting movement of the end fitting 30 within the receptacle 30 in order to facilitate and maintain the fluid tight seal in the O-ring 52. As illustrated in Figure 3, when the end 30 is fully inserted into the receptacle 60, each of the annular locking grooves 38, 40 is aligned with the transverse passage 78 and is accessible from the upper hole 80 of the passage 78. Retention means are provided in the preferred form of a locking member 86 to act between the connector 56 and the inserted end fitting 30 to retain the end fitting 30 so that it does not come out of the receptacle 60, while retaining the relative rotability between the connector 56 and the end fitting 30. As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3, the blocking element 86 includes at least one and preferably a pair of elements in general aspect of U 88 having integral surfaces. adjacent walls 90, 92 spaced laterally from one another by a distance at least equal to and preferably slightly greater than the axial thickness of the central annular projection 34 of the end fitting 30, and external surfaces 94, 96 spaced laterally from each other a distance generally equal to the axial spacing between the end wall 64 and the rear wall 66 of the connector 56. The pair of U-shaped elements 88 are joined together by a cap 98 having an axial thickness approaching the axial dimension of the passage 78, and a lateral width preferably slightly greater than the lateral dimension of the passage 78 to limit the penetration of the blocking element 86 into the passage 78. The elements in U-shaped 88 include recesses or U-shaped locking channels in a chair-like manner 100 which are dimensioned and positioned so as to mesh with the locking slots 38, 40 of the end fitting 30 when the locking member 86 is moved from the unlatched position (FIGS. 1-4) to the engaged position (FIGS. 5 and 6) when fully inserting and extending the blocking element 86 into the transverse passage 78. When in the engaged position , the locking element 86 is opposite and captured between the transverse end and rear walls 64, 66 and, therefore, unable to move axially to any considerable degree relative to the connector 56. In addition, the U-shaped locking channels 100 they are received and ride over the locking grooves 38, 40 of the end fitting 30 and face the transverse walls of the annular protrusions 32, 34, 36 to thereby lock the end fitting 30 in position within the receptacle 60 and prevent the relative axial movement between the end fitting. 30 and connector 56. Although the U-shaped locking channels 100 serve to lock the end fitting 30 against relative axial movement within the receptacle 60, they do not restrict the relative rotatability between the connector 56 and the end fitting 30. The locking element 86 and the connector 56 have interconnectable portions cooperating when the locking element 86 is fully inserted in the passage for retaining the locking element 86 in the engaged position (figures 5 and 6). The engageable portion of the locking element 86 includes a pair of deflectable spring fingers 102 that extend downwardly and laterally outwardly from opposite sides of the locking channels 100 of each U-shaped element 88 and terminate in distal locking noses. 1O4 extending laterally outward, spaced a relatively greater distance than the spacing between the side walls 68, 70 of the connector 56, such that the fingers 102 deviate inward toward each other when they initially enter the passage 78. The engageable portion of the connector 56 includes a pair of locking recesses or notched regions 106 provided in the side walls 68, 70 of the connector 56 directly opposite each other and immediately adjacent to the position of the locking projections 104 when fully inserted into the connector. step 78. Notched regions 106 have a width relatively greater than the width of step 78 above the regions 106 so that the elastic fingers 102 can expand outwardly by displacing the locking projections 104 to position within the notched regions 106. A stop 108 of each region 106 faces away from the upper hole 80 of the passage 78 and faces the an adjacent projection 110 of each offset locking protrusion 104 for thereby locking the blocking element 86 against the subsequent removal of the passage 78. The rear wall 66 of the base portion 56 is provided with a central hole 111 which is axially aligned with the hole 48 of the end fitting 30 and through which extends the prolonged end 22 of the central element I 1. A central support support portion 112 of the connector 56 extends axially from the base portion 58 and includes an oscillating tube 114 provided with a convex spherical surface or ball 116 at one end and extending therefrom to an opposite free end 118. The ball 116 is captured at into a swivel joint 120 of portion 112 defined in part by a cup-shaped insert 122 to obtain a ball joint of the general type described in U.S. Patent No. 4,380,178 to Bennett et al., incorporated herein by reference. The insert 122 can be made of an appropriate material, such as nylon, to give the ball 116 a desired low friction surface. The oscillating tube 114 and the insert 122 have aligned passages or holes 124, 126 through which the prolonged end 122 of the central element 118 extends. The oscillating tube 114 supports the prolonged end 22 of the central element 18 at an acute angle relative to the axis longitudinal of the connector 56. The bore 124 of the oscillating tube 114 has a frusto-conical end portion 128 tapering from a large diameter in the direction opposite the insert 122 to the smaller diameter of the hole 124. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the end length of the central element 18 preferably includes a rigid cylindrical metal rod 130 which is stressed on the central member 18 and is slidably supported inside and guided by the hole 124 of the oscillating tube 114, allowing the portion of the rod 130 to be extended beyond the oscillating tube 114 transmits both a pushing and pulling force to an element to be driven without being supported in a to, as would be necessary if the rod 130 were flexible. The rod 130 includes a pierced end portion (not shown) adapted to be attached to a lever and may be of the type described in the aforementioned incorporated U.S. patent 4,380,178. The oscillating tube 114 and the cup-shaped insert 122 are preformed and then joined with the body 57 during the insert molding operation in a conventional manner. The body 57 is provided with a frusto-conical portion 132 disposed about the oscillating tube 114 forward of the ball 116 flared from the small diameter in the ball joint to the larger diameter axially forward of the ball joint to limit the extent to which it can oscillate the oscillating tube "114. The connector 56 is adapted by mounting means 134 to mount the assembly 10 on the support structure of a vehicle (not shown). The mounting means 134 may include an annular transverse stop 136 formed in the molded body 57 next to oscillating tube 114 and a pair of diametrically opposed flexible legs 138 extending towards abutment 136 and formed as an integral part of body 57. Legs 138 terminate at free ends that are axially spaced from stop 136. The legs 138 can extend through a hole in a sheet-like support structure (not shown) that allows the ends The legs 138 are free to engage the support structure at the rear side end of the hole and the stop 136 engages the support structure on the other side of the hole. A lug 140 protrudes radially from the body 57 between the legs 138 and may be in correspondence within a radial notch of the hole (not shown) for securing the connector 56 so as not to rotate relative to the support structure. To construct the assembly 10, the body 57 is molded around the oscillating tube 114 and its insert 122 in an insert molding operation, and the blocking element 86 is molded in a separate injection molding operation apart from the body 57. selects the appropriate length of the conduit 12 and receives at one end the fitting 28 and at the other end the end fitting 30 and the rim at 0 52. The end fitting 30 is preferably formed by molding the end fitting 30 directly on the end 16 of the duct 12 by an insert molding operation. The central element 18 is then placed inside the conduit 12 and extends through the hole 48 of the end fitting 30, the receptacle 60 and through the aligned holes 124, 126 of the oscillating tube 114 and the insert 122, and then exits the oscillating tube 114. The rod 130 is fixed to the exposed end of the central element 18 and retracts to the oscillating tube 114. The end fitting 30 is provided with the rim at 0 52 and is inserted axially into the receptacle 60 through the access hole 62 of the connector 56 until the annular rim 44 of the end fitting 30 seats within the annular recess 82 of the connector 56 for compressing and effecting a fluid-tight rotary seal with the O-ring 52. The blocking element 86 is then inserted in the passage 78 through the upper hole 80 to place the U-shaped locking channels 100 inside the locking slots 38, 40 of the end fitting 30 and placing the locking projections 104 of the locking element 86 in locking engagement with the locking recesses 106 of the connector 56 to secure both the end fitting 30 and the locking element 86 so as not to comes out of the connector 56. The external cylindrical shapes of the end fitting 30 and the portions of the connector 56 and the locking element 86 that support or retain the end fitting 30 allow relative movement between the connector 56 and the end fitting 30. In this way, if the conduit 12 is twisted during installation, the installer does not have to counteract the torsion to achieve the proper angular alignment of the mounting means 134 with the coupling structure (ie, the hole) of the support structure in order to mount the connector 56 on the support structure, as would be necessary if the connector 56 could not rotate relative to the conduit 12. On the other hand, the rotabili ad relative between the connector 56 and the end fitting 30 allows the installer to rotate the connector 56 around the end fitting 30 the amount that is necessary to achieve the proper angular orientation, thereby simplifying the installation of the assembly 10 and minimizing the effort exerted in the conduit 12. The pre-forming of the end fitting 30 and the connector 56 and its locking element 86 as separate components allows better control and repeatability of the corresponding relative shapes and sizes of the components to obtain the appropriate clearance between them and ensure that when the components are assembled, the connector 56 can rotate around the end fitting 30 and not stick as a result of a too small or too loose slack as a result of excessive clearance. The described embodiment represents the preferred form of the invention, but is intended to be illustrative rather than defining thereof. The invention is defined in the claims.