MXPA99008405A - External ground isolation connector for cable splice closures - Google Patents

Abstract

Un conectador aislante puesto a tierra externo para usarse con un cierre de empalme incluye un alojamiento que tiene un paso adaptado formado en la misma. Una clavija puesta a tierra se adapta para extenderse a través del paso en el alojamiento para limitar el giro de la clavija dentro del alojamiento. La clavija puesta a tierra tiene un primer extremo para extenderse en un cierre de cable asociado para conectarse a un alambre puesto a tierra interno, y un segundo extremo para extenderse externamente del cierre de cable para conectarse a una alambre puesto a tierra externo. Un puerto se forma en el alojamiento para recibir el alambre puesto a tierra externo. El primer extremo de la clavija puesta a tierra se proporciona para sellarse con el alojamiento y el cierre, el segundo extremo de la clavija puesta a tierra se proporciona para sellarse con el alojamiento.

Description

CONNECTOR INSULATOR GROUNDED, EXTERNAL, SEPARATE CABLE FITTINGS Background of the Invention The present invention relates generally to sealed cable splice closures and more particularly to an insulated, grounded, external connector used with such closures. There are various methfor joining or splicing together ends of communication cable. Such cables are normally made of a conductive beam, surrounded by a resistant metal and an interference lining and an outer protective coating. The cable bundles must be grounded, which requires a connection to the protective earthing layer of the beam. inside the closure and an external ground connection. This requires the internal and external grounding wires to pass through the closure by means of a seal, ie air and water tight, connection to avoid environmental contamination. In order to accomplish this, various apparatuses have been used to provide a sealed grounded wire connection for closure. A REF .: 31129 device is a grounded seat which extends through the wall of the closure. The internal ground wires are connected to a portion of the seat within the closure and the external ground wires are connected to a portion of the seat on the outside of the closure. Different sealers, compounds, layers of shrinking heat etc. they are then applied to the outer portion of the. Seat grounded to seal the connection to the seat and the outer surface of the closure. These cold seals, however, are often not reliable especially if external forces are applied which can move the seat or external ground wires enough to break the seal. Unfortunately, an appropriate solution to the problems associated with sealing, the grounding connections to the cable splice closure to maintain the seal integrally, have not been satisfactorily addressed by the prior art. Therefore, an apparatus and a method is needed to seal the grounded wire connections to the cable closure housings. It is also highly desirable to quickly provide a reentry and reseal of such grounding connections which can be easily disconnected and reconnected while maintaining the seal integrally.

Summary of the invention The present invention consequently provides an apparatus and method for providing a sealed grounding connection for cable splice closures which can be disconnected and reconnected and seal maintained integrally. For this purpose, an insulated externally grounded connector includes a housing and a grounding pin extending through the housing. The grounding plug has a first end to extend into an associated cable closure, and a second end to extend externally of the cable closure. The means are provided for connecting the grounding wires to the first and second ends of the grounding pin and the means are also provided to seal the grounding pin-inside the housing. A main advantage of the present invention is that the insulated, grounded, external connector allows a sealed connection of the wires grounded internally and externally through the wall of a cable lock and allows the external grounding cable disconnect and reconnect in a way that allows for rapid re-entry and closure to maintain the seal integrally. This is in contrast to the devices of the prior art which require the destruction of the sealed connections of external grounding wire.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is an isometric view illustrating an embodiment of a portion of a cable closure that includes a pair of grounded insulative connectors mounted on cable ports. Figure 2 is an isometric view illustrating an embodiment of a portion of a cable closure that includes an insulated connector grounded in the schematic view, mounted on a cable port. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional side elevational view illustrating one embodiment of a grounded insulator connector externally mounted on a wall of the cable lock. Figure 4 is a side elevational view illustrating one embodiment of a grounded insulator connector.

Figure 4a is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4a-4a of Figure 3. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view in side elevation, illustrating an alternative embodiment of an insulated, grounded insulator connector externally mounted in a wall of a cable lock.

Description of the Preferred Modalities With reference to Figure 1, one end of a pair of identical halves of a cable splice closure is illustrated and is generally designated 10. The closure 10 includes a wall 12 integrally formed with the end tabs 14, only one of which is shown, and a portion of a pair of independently spaced side tabs 16a, 16b. The wall 12, seen from inside the closure 10, includes a cap mounted surface 18 for receiving a grounding pin. The mounted surface 18 is also formed on the outside of the wall 12. Removal of a plug 20 forms an opening 21 for receiving the grounding pin. The screw holes 22 are formed in the end flange 14 and the side flanges 16a, 16b to receive the screws to jointly hold together the halves of the closure 10. Also, a continuous peripheral groove 24 is provided along the flange of the flange. end 14 and side flanges 16a, 16b to receive an appropriate packing material or mastic to provide a type of closure re-entry. A pair of cable ports 26 are also included in the end tab 14 to provide a cable entry and an exit path with the closure 10. The ports 26 are typically also sealed with the aforementioned packing material or mastic to provide an appropriate final seal around the cables in the ports 26. ~ Ports 26 are also usually provided with plugs in place (not shown) in which they can be removed as required to accommodate the cables. A grounded insulator connector 28, Figures 1-4, is provided for use with the closure 10. In one embodiment, the connector 28 may be mounted in one of the preformed cable ports 26, if available, or on a surface external wall 12. Connector 28 includes a main housing 30, Figure 2, having a first portion 32 and a second portion 34. The first portion 32 includes an outer surface of spool shape 32a which is provided to accommodate the cable port 26. The second portion 34 includes an external grounding wire port 34a formed therewith. The main housing 30 also includes an adapted passage 36 formed therethrough, Figure 4a. Step 36 was adapted in a hexagonal, cross-sectional shape, however, other cross-sectional shapes may be used. A threaded passage 38, FIG. 3, formed in the port 34a extends to form an intersection with the hexagonal-shaped passage 36. An "O" ring groove 40 is provided in a flange 42 of the second portion 34 adjacent to the port. grounding cable 34a for receiving a seal "O" ring 41. A grounding plug 44 Figures 2 and 3, includes a first end 46 and a second end 48. The second end 48, Figure 3, includes a external threaded portion 49 and a threaded passage 50 which extends to intercept with a transverse passage of external grounding wire 52. The first end 46 includes a threaded extension 54 which extends from a central shaft portion 56 having a hexagonal cross section, Figure 2, for_ the appropriate coupling within the hexagonal passage 36. In this way, the grounding plug 44 is in a non-rotating coupling with the hexagonal passage 36. A ring groove "0" 58 p It is provided in an adjacent land 60 between the central axis 56 and the threaded extension 54 to receive a seal "O" ring 62. A screw head 64, Figure 3, is screwed in received in a threaded passage 50 and seats to firmly engage a bare end 66 of an external grounding cable 68. The grounding wire 68 is retained in a narrow liquid fit commercially available 70 which has a threaded end 72 received in the threaded passage 38 in port 34a. The fitting 70 includes a flexible sealing end 71 which grasps the grounding wire 68. One end 77 is rotated relative to the end 71 on the threaded shaft 73. The relative rotation stimulates a plurality of flexing nails 75 and a sleeve elastic 79 in a sealing contact with the wire 65. A housing head 74 includes an internally threaded hidden passage 76 which threadedly engages the threaded portion 49 of a grounded plug 44 and stimulates the sealing "O" ring 41 in the sealing coupling with slot 40.

An internal grounding wire 80, Figure 2, is attached to the threaded extension 54 by means of a connector 82 which receives the extension 54. A washer 84 and a nut 86 engage the extension 54 and remove the "0" ring 62, Figure 3, in the sealing coupling between the first portion 32 of the housing 30 and the groove 58 of the dowel pin 44. Another washer 88 and another nut 90, Figures 2 and 3, couple the extension 54 and the connector 82 at extension 54. When the cable ports 26 are occupied with cables, the connector 28, FIG. 3 can be mounted on an external wall surface 12 on the mounted surface 18 with the plug 20 removed to provide the opening 21. Another ring groove "0" 92 is provided in a flange 94 of the first portion 32. The groove 92 retains a "0" ring 96 for sealingly seating the first portion 32 of the housing 30 against the mounted surface 18 of the wall 12. In an additional mode, Fig 5, a modified connector 28a has a housing of reduced length 30a for disposing of the spool portion 32a, discussed above and illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. The connector 28a also includes a grounded plug of reduced length 44a having a hexagonal shaped portion 56a coupled with a hexagonal passage 36a. The other attributes of the connector and the grounded and connector pin remain as described above. The purpose of the reduced connector 28a is for applications where a reduced length connector is only preferred for a direct external connection to the wall 12, considering that the connector 28, illustrated in Figures 1-4, can either be inserted into the the cable port 26, Figures 1 and 2, or externally, attach it directly to the wall 12, Figure 3. In operation, the connection plug 44 is inserted into the connector 28. The first end 46 extends from the housing 30. Adapter 70 is screwed into port 34a. The external ground wire 68 is inserted through the adapter 70 and the transverse passage 52. The adapter 70 is tightened to form a seal with the cable 68. The screw head 64 is adjusted to engage and hold the end of the wire 60 in step 52. The head of the housing 74 is sealedly screwed into the housing 30. The spool portion 32a is inserted into the cable port 26 and sealed therein. The nut 86 is adjusted to seal the connecting plug 44 to the housing 30.

The internal ground wire 80 is attached to the extension 54 and secured therein by the nut 90. Alternatively, in turn the mounted connector 28 in the cable port 26, the "O" ring 96 is insertable into the slot 92 and the flange 94 sits on the mounted surface 18 externally of the wall 12. The nut 86 is adjusted to compress the "O" rings 96 and 62 and seal the connecting pin 44 and the housing 30 to mount the surface 18 of the wall 12. The internal grounded wire 8Q is attached to the extension 54 and secured therein by the nut 90. As a further alternative, the reduced length connector 28a is used with the connecting plug 44a. The "O" ring 96 is inserted into the slot 92 and the flange 94 sit on the mounted surface 18 of the wall 12. The nut 86 is adjusted to compress the "O" rings 96 and 62 and the seal connection pin 4a and the housing 30a to the external mounted surface 18 of the wall 12. The internal grounded wire 80 is attached to the extension 54 and secured therein by the nut 90. As can be seen, the main advantage of these embodiments is that the grounded external insulating connector allows a sealed connection of the wires connected to the internal and external earth through the wall of a cable closure, or through a cable port of a cable closure, and allows to disconnect and reconnect the wires in a way which maintains the integrity of the seal. Although the illustrated modalities have shown and described, a wide range of modifications, change and substitution is contemplated in the above description and in some cases, some aspects of the modalities may be employed without a corresponding use of other characteristics. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be interpreted broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the embodiments described therein.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is the conventional one for the manufacture of the objects or products to which it refers. Having described the invention as above, property is claimed as contained in the following:

Claims (25)

1. An insulated, grounded, external connector characterized in that it comprises: a housing; a grounding connection plug extending through the housing, the grounding connection plug having a first end for extending into an associated cable closure, and a second end for extending externally of the cable closure; means for connecting grounding wires to the first and second ends of the grounded connection pin, and means for sealing the grounding connection pin within the housing.

2. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that it additionally comprises means for a limited rotation of the connection pin grounded inside the housing.

3. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that it additionally comprises a first portion of the housing having an outer surface in the form of a reel and a second portion of the housing having a grounded wire port formed therewith.

4. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing has a adapted passage formed therethrough and the grounded connection pin has an outer surface adapted to be properly coupled with the adapted passage.

5. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for sealing include seals of the first and second adjacent ends of the housing, respectively.

6. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the ground connection plug includes a grounded wire receiving the passage formed therein and a screw head to extend into the cable receiving the step for coupling and retain a wire grounded in it.

7. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that it additionally comprises an upper part for threadably coupling with the grounded connection plug and the sealing coupling with the housing.

8. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the first end of the grounding connection pin includes a portion which sealingly engages the housing.

9. An insulated, grounded, external connector characterized in that it comprises: _ a housing including a adapted passage formed therethrough; a grounded connection plug adapted to extend through the passage in the housing to limit the g ro of the connection pin within the housing, the grounded connection plug has a first end to extend into a cable seal - associated, and a second end to extend externally of the cable closure; the housing includes a port formed therein to receive an external grounded wire thereon; means adjacent the second end of the grounding connection pin to receive the external grounded wire; means for connecting an internally grounded wire to the first end of the grounded connection plug; means for sealing the housing with the cable seal, and means for sealing the grounded connection plug in the housing.

10. The connector according to claim 9, characterized in that it additionally comprises a first portion of the housing having an outer surface in the form of a reel.

11. The connector according to claim 9, characterized in that the means for sealing the housing with the associated cable closure includes an outer housing surface in the form of a reel for suitably coupling with a cable port formed in the associated closure.

12. The connector according to claim 11, characterized in that the means for sealing the grounding connection pin inside the housing includes adjacent sealed opposite ends of the housing.

13. The connector according to claim 9, characterized in that the ground connection plug includes a grounded wire receiving a passage formed therein and a screw head to extend into the wire receiving the passage for coupling and retaining a wire grounded in it.

14. The connector according to claim 9, characterized in that it additionally comprises an upper part for threadably coupling with the connection pin grounded and sealingly coupled with the housing.

15. The connector according to claim 9, characterized in that the first end of the grounded connection pin includes a portion which sealingly engages the housing.

The connector according to claim 9, characterized in that it additionally comprises an upper part for sealingly coupling with the housing, means for retaining the externally grounded wire in the coupling with the second end of the grounding connection pin and means to retain the internal grounded wire connected to the first end of the grounded connection plug.

17. The connector according to claim 9, characterized in that the port is provided to receive a grounded, sealed slat adapter.

18. An isolated external grounded connector for use with a cable splice closure characterized in that it comprises: a cable splice closure including a wall defining an internal chamber and an outer surface; a housing connector mounted on the closure; a grounded connection plug extending through the housing, the grounded connection plug having a first end terminating in the inner chamber and a second end terminating within the connector housing; means for connecting an internally grounded wire to the first end of the grounded connection plug; means for connecting an external grounded wire adjacent the second end of the grounded connection pin; first means for joining the housing of the connector to the closure; and the second means for sealing the grounded connection plug inside the connector housing.

19. The connector according to claim 18, characterized in that it additionally comprises a first portion of the housing having an outer surface in the form of a reel.

20. The connector according to claim 18, characterized in that the housing has a adapted passage formed therethrough and the grounded connection pin has an outer surface adapted to fit properly with the adapted passage.

21. The connector according to claim 18, characterized in that the means for connecting an external earthed wire includes a grounded wire receiving a pitch formed in the grounded connection pin and a screw head for extending into the wire that receives the step to be coupled and retaining the wire grounded in it.

22. The connector according to claim 18, characterized in that the first means for sealingly attaching the housing to the closure includes a reel-shaped outer surface of the housing for suitably coupling with a cable port formed in the closure.

23. The connector according to claim 22, characterized in that the housing includes an upper part and the second means for sealing the grounding connection pin in the housing including a first seal between the connection pin and the housing and a second seal between the accommodation and the top.

24. A sealable connection method of an external earthed wire for a cable closure characterized in that it comprises the steps of: providing a grounded insulative connector housing having an adapted passage formed therethrough and a wire port placed thereon; external earth; inserting a grounded connection plug, adapted to remain in a non-rotating coupling in the adapted passage; sealingly inserting an external grounded wire into the port; joining the externally grounded wire to one end of the grounded connection plug; connecting another end of the grounded connection plug to an internal grounded wire; sealing the first end of the grounded connection plug to the first end of the housing; sealingly joining a first end of the housing to the closure of the cable, and joining an upper portion to seal a second end of the housing.

25. An isolated external grounded connector characterized in that it comprises: a housing including a suitable passage or orifice formed therethrough; a grounded connection plug adapted to extend through the passage for limiting the rotation of the connecting plug within the housing, the grounded connection plug having a first end extending out of the housing and having a second end which ends inside the accommodation; the housing includes a port formed therein adjacent to the second end of the grounded connection pin to receive an external grounded wire thereon; adjacent means of the second end of the connection pin grounded to receive the external grounded cable; adjacent means of the second end of the grounding connection pin to secure the wire grounded to the pin; means for sealing the grounded cable in the port, and means for sealing the opposite ends of the grounded connection plug within the housing.