US3857994A

US3857994A - Non-corrosive cable shield bond

Info

Publication number: US3857994A
Application number: US00431549A
Authority: US
Inventors: D Neale
Original assignee: National Telephone Supply Co
Current assignee: National Telephone Supply Co
Priority date: 1973-04-09
Filing date: 1974-01-07
Publication date: 1974-12-31
Anticipated expiration: 1991-12-31

Abstract

A non-corrosive cable shield bond for metal shields of electrical cables such as telephone cables and the like having metal contact members engaging a cable shield with enclosing members clamped therearound to seal the electrical contacting faces in substantially moisture and air tight relation.

Description

llnite States Patel [191 Neale, Sr, ll M, 1974 1 NUN-CORROSWE CABLE SllllllELD BOND [75] Inventor: Dory ,l. Neale, Sta, St. Petersburg, [56] References Cited Fla. UNITED STATES PATENTS 73 Assignefiz The National Telephone Supply 3,253,247 5/1966 V051 174/78 UX Company Cleveland Ohio 3,435,126 3/1969 Harmlton.... 174/78 3,499,972 3/1970 Smith 174/78 X [22] Filed; Jan, 7, 1974} 3,643,006 2/1972 Ance 174/78 X [21] A l N 431 549 3,654,584 4/1972 Gillemot et a1. 339/14 R Related US. Application D t Primary ExaminerL aramie E. Askin [63] continuatiommpart of Ser. No 349,260 April 9 Attorney, Agent, or Fzrm-Frshburn, Gold & Lltman 1973, abandoned, which is a continuation-impart of Ser. No. 253,176, May 15, 1972, abandoned. [57] ABSTRACT A non-c0rrosive cable shield bond for metal shields of [52] 1174/78 339/ 554/ electrical cables such as telephone cables and the like having metal contact members engaging a cable shield gli l' gg 15/ with enclosing members clamped therearound to seal 339/14 L, 95 R, 97 R, 97 C, 114, 214 R, 214 C, 220 C, 276 R, 276 C, 277 R, 277 C, 278 R, 278 A the electrical contacting faces in substantially moisture and air tight relation.

118 Claims, 10 Drawing 1F igures PATENTED BEBB 1 I974 SHEET am: 3 3.857. 994

NON-CORROSIVE CABLE SHIELD BOND This application is a continuation-impart of my patent application Ser. No. 349,260, filed Apr. 9, 1973, now abandoned, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of my patent application Ser. No. 253,l76, filed May 15, 1972, now abandoned.

is necessary that the shield have a good electrical continuity for the length of the cable or section thereof. When it is necessary to repair a cable, the sheath and shield must be cut and separated, and after the repair, the shield must be connected and the splice enclosed. Heretofore, shield connections have been in the form of metal members, terminals and screws which, while providing good electrical contact when installed, may soon fail due to corrosion and oxidation between the contact faces in the connection accelerated by air and moisture penetrating therebetween. Such corrosion increases the resistance to the extent that the shield continuity is interrupted thereby interfering with the shield function and resulting in noise in the telephone lines requiring replacement of the connection to restore the shield continuity. Opening the splice and replacement of connections is time consuming, costly and if not done properly, will result in poor service to the users of the telephone circuits.

- The principal objects of the present invention are: to provide a shield connection or bond wherein all interengaging surfaces of members for electrically connecting one to the other are enclosed in a moisture and air tight seal to eliminate oxidation and corrosion of said faces; to provide such a connection bond having a plurality of parts which are' assembled in sequence whereby positive electrical contact of faces of contact members is assured; to provide such a connection bond with portions having protuberances for penetrating and making contact with metal shields having protective coating thereon without removing the coating; to provide such a connection bond with contact members and clamping plates having portions with cooperating contours to assure compression and sealing engagement by resilient members to assure an air and moisture tight enclosing of the electrical contacting surfaces; to provide such a connection bond that can be assembled by rotation imparting tools; to provide such a connection bond wherein the clamping force holding same is easily controllable; to provide such a connection bond that is easily and securely mounted on pliable or soft cable sheaths wherein the cable sheath is positioned on the exterior of the connection bond; and to provide a cable shield connector bond which is economical to manufacture and easily assembled to a cable shield and sheath for a long interference free operation.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth by way of illustration and example certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. l is a side elevation of a cable portion with a shield connector embodying the present invention as sembled thereon.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view through the assembled connector and shield portion supported on the portion of a cable sheath. I

FIG. 3 is a disassembled perspective view of the cable connector bond parts.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view through a moditied form of the cable shield connector bond for use with shields having protective coatings thereon.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the member having shield coating penetrating protuberances.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view through a modifled form of the assembled connector and shield portron.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view through a modified form of the assembled connector supported on a portion of a cable shield for use with shields having protective coatings thereon.

FIG. 8 is a disassembled perspective view of a modi fied form of the connector.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view through a further modified form of connector assembled and supported on a portion of a cable shield. a

FIG. 10 is a disassembled perspective view of the modified form of the connector, shown in FIG. 9.

Referring more indetail to the drawings:

As required, detailed embodiments of the invention are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in many forms that are different from the illustrative embodiments presented herewith. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims actually defining the scope of this invention.

The reference numeral 1 generally designates a cable shield bond for providingshield continuity at a cable splice or the like. Electrical cables and particularly telephone cables 2 have a plurality or bundle of conductor wires 3 with a metal shield 4 around same for the length of the cable, the wires and shield all being within a cable sheath 5 forming a weather resistant-enclosure for the shielded conductor'wires 3. The cable illustrated is conventional, as for example, the sheath 5 may be of synthetic resin such as polyethylene or other suitable material and the shield 4 a suitable strip of metal such as aluminum wrapped in a spiral around the bundle of conductor wires 3, the strip having overlapped marginal portions to assure a complete shield enclosing the bundle of conductor wires. The sheath portion 5 as illustrated in FIG. I is at one side of an opening therein for access to the conductor wires for repair, splicing or other service. The sheath portion 5 is cut as at 6 to leave an extending tongue 7 and the shield 4 is cut whereby the shield in the sheath portion 5 has an end portion 8. Only the cable portion at one side of the opening is illustrated, the other side (not shown) is understood to be substantially the same and when the repair work is completed, the cable opening and splice is enclosed with a sleeve (not shown) in accordance with conventional or usual practice.

The connector bond 1 generally includes a contact structure Ml having electrical contact with the shield and portion 8 with the contacting portions enclosed by resilient members 11 held in sealing engagement with the contact structure and the shield portion 8 outwardly from the contacting structure by clamp structure 12. The clamp structure has a member extending through a resilient member and in electrical contact with the contact members and also a portion 13 connected to a conductor 14 which leads to a suitable connection for completing the shield continuity of the cable structure at the splice.

In the form of the structure illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 inclusive, the contact structure 10 has opposed

members

15 and 16 with faces 17 adapted to engage

opposite faces

18 and 19 of a shield portion 8. The

contact members

15 and 16 preferably are metal such as brass with tin plating for good electrical conductivity between the contacting faces 17 and the portion of the

clean surfaces

18 and 19 engaged thereby. The

contact members

15 and 16 are held tight against the shield faces and in the illustrated structure a shank 20 is connected to the contact 15 and extends therefrom, with the shield portion 8 having an aperture 21 and the contact member 16 having a bore 22 for the shank 20 to extend therethrough. The bore 22 preferably is such that the shank 20 will have contact with the surfaces defining the bore 22. The shank 20 is of a length whereby when the

contacts

15 and 16 are assembled, it extends through the shield portion with the end of the shank extending beyond the outer end 23 of the bore 22 of the contact 16. The shank end is turned outwardly to overlie the contact member 16 at said bore end 23 at 24.

The contact structure 10 has a through bore 25 normal to the faces 17. Each of the

contact members

15 and 16 has a convex outer portion, as for example, the outer surfaces 26 of the

contact members

15 and 16 are such that the contacts are thickest adjacent the bores therein and the surfaces slope or incline outwardly and toward the faces 17 whereby the edges 27 adjacent the periphery of the contact members are the thinnest portions. The contact structure 10 may be in the nature of a brass hollow rivet and washer with the member 15 and shank 20 forming the hollow rivet and the contact 16 being the washer and, when assembled, the end of the shank is peened or rolled over the washer as at 24 to hold the structure in tight engagement with the shield portion 8. The slope of the outer faces 26 may be in the nature of ten degrees from the plane of the face 17 of the respective contact members.

The resilient enclosure 11 is arranged to engage the outer faces 26 of the contact structure 10 and extend beyond the periphery thereof whereby marginal portions 28 of the resilient enclosure sealingly engage the

faces

18 and 19 of the shield portion in an air and moisture tight seal. ln the structure illustrated, the resilient enclosure is in the form of resilient washers 29 formed of suitable material compatable with the other components of the connection and having long life, for example, a Silastic rubber. The washers 29 are substantially larger than the contacts whereby the marginal portions 28 extend beyond the peripherial edge 27 of the contact members. As for example, if round, the washer 29 would be in the nature of one-third larger in diameter than the contacts and said washers are of suitable thickness whereby they may be compressed to cause flow of portions thereof to provide the necessary sealing contact required. The washers 29 each have an axial bore 30 substantially of the size of the bore 25 in the contact structure 10.

The clamping structure 12 may be of any suitable type arranged to engage the resilient enclosure 11 to sandwich same between the clamping structure and the contact structure 10 and deform the resilient structure to provide a seal with a portion of the clamping structure extending in sealed engagement through the resilient enclosure to the contact structure to engage same and provide an electrical connection therebetween. In the form illustrated, the clamp structure 12 has

clamp plates

31 and 32 arranged in opposed relation and outwardly of the resiliently washers 29. The clamp plates have

interfaces

33 and 34 respectively forming a concave configuration preferably of an inclination substantially corresponding to the inclination of the surfaces 26 of the contact structure 10. A shank member 35 is arranged to extend through the

bores

25 and 30 and connect the clamp plates and secure same in clamped relation to compress the resilient washers 29 into the sealed relationship with the connector parts to form the enclosure for the contact surfaces. In the structure illustrated, the clamp plate 31 has the shank 35 integral therewith and extending therefrom and the clamp plate 32 is in the form ofa washer having a bore 36 to receive the shank 35. It is preferred that the free end of the shank 35 have a recess or bore 37 extending therein to form a hollow end to facilitate peening or rolling same outwardly to engage the clamp plate portion 32 adjacent the bore 36 therein when assembled. The shank 35 preferably has a size substantially corresponding to the bore 25 and the portion thereof positioned in the bore 25 is preferably knurled or otherwise formed to provide a plurality of small ridges 38 that have outer edges slightly larger than the bore 25 whereby when assembled the ridges will penetrate into the surfaces defining the bore 25 of the contact structure. It is preferred that the connector bond be supported to give stability, as for example, it may be supported on a portion of the cable sheath 5, as for example, a tongue 7 extending from the end thereof and in Suchstructure, an aperture 39 is formed in the tongue 7 and the shank 35 is of sufficient length to extend therethrough and through the bore 36 to effect the assembly of the connector bond.

ln assembling a cable shield connector bond as illustrated and described, the splicing or repair of the conductor wires being completed, the apertures 21 in the

shield portion

8 and 39 in the sheath tongue 7 are formed whereby they will substantially align. The

surfaces

18 and 19 of the shield portion adjacent the aperture 21 are cleaned and then the

contact members

15 and 16 are positioned on opposite sides and the shank 20 extended through the aperture 21 and bore 22. With the

contacts

15 and 16 clamped against the shield portion 8 the free edges of the shank are peened or rolled outwardly to overlie the portions of the outer surface of the contact member 16 adjacent the bore 22 to hold the contact members in clamped engagement with the shield. The resilient washers 29 are then positioned on the outer surfaces of the contacts with the bores 30 thereof aligned with the bore 25 and the clamp plate 31 with the shank 35 is moved to insert the shank through the bore 30 of the one washer 29 through the bore 25 of the contact structure. The other washer 29 is then placed on the shank 35 which is moved to align with the aperture 39 in the sheath tongue 7 and then through said aperture 39. The clamp plate 32 is assembled to align the bore 36 with the shank 35 and then the clamp plates 3I and 32 are moved toward each other whereby the shank 35 extends through the bore 36. The plates 3I and 32 are then clamped or forced toward each other with sufficient pressure whereby the sheath tongue '7 and rubber washers 29 are deformed, one washer being compressed between the surface 33 of the clamp plate 31 and the surface 26 of the contact member 15 and the other washer being compressed between the sheath tongue and the surface 26 of the contact I6, the sheath tongue being deformed by the surface 34 of the contact plate or washer 32. This pressure causes the marginal portions 28 of the washers 29 extending outwardly of the peripheral edges 27 of the contact members to engage the surfaces I8 and 19 of the shield to form an air and moisture tight seal therebetween. The washers 29 are also compressed adjacent their bores 30 whereby the resilient member flows into engagement with the portion of the shank 35 therein to form a seal therebetween. While so clamped, the free end portion of the hollow end of the shank 35 is peened or rolled outwardly. to engage the outer surface of the plate 32 adjacent the bore 36 to hold the clamp plates in washer compressing position and maintain the enclosure of the contacts in sealed relation. A conductor such as a woven conductor cable I4 is connected to one of-the clamping plates. For example, the plate 32 has an outwardly extending portion or lug I3 and the cable I4 is electrically connected therewith. Preferably the cable I4 is soldered to the lug 13 to provide a factory made sub-assembly for use in the connector.

While the structure is shown as assembled to a tongue 7 on the cable sheath 5, it is to be understood that it is not essential and if desired the clamp plate 32 may be arranged whereby the surface 34 thereof is in contact with the adjacent resilient washer 29 whereby said washer is sandwiched between the clamp plate 32 and the contact member I6.

The cable shield formed of thin aluminum strip may be coated with a protective coating of suitable plastic or the like which can provide some difficulty in removal and if not properly done, interfere with electrical contact of the contact members with the shield. The connector bond structure illustrated in FIGS. 4 and assures suitable electrical connection without removal of the protective coating. In the structure illustrated in FIG. 4, the shield portion 5 has a protective coating 4I covering the surfaces I5 and I9. Interposed between one or both of the contacts and I6 and the shield portion are coating penetrating members 42 arranged to penetrate the coating 411 to engage the metal of the shield and form an electrical connection therewith. In this structure, only the members 42 are added. The contacts 115 and I6, resilient washers 29.,

clamp plates

31 and 32 and shank 35 and engagement of the parts thereof are the same as illustrated and described relative to the structure shown in FIGS. I to 3 inclusive. The members 42 are formed of a relatively hard metal that is a good electrical conductor, such as Phosphor bronze and preferably indium plated to reduce corrosion. The member 42 includes a thin disc-like portion 43 with axial bore 44 of a size to fit on the shank of the contact 15. A plurality of protuberances 45 are formed in the disc-like portion 43 and have sharpened ends 46 to penetrate the plastic coating. There are a plurality of protuberances that may be arranged as desired, however, in the illustrated structure the protuberances are in two circles of different radial spacing from the axis of the bore 44. Each of the protuberances illustrated is formed by punching or cutting the disk and bending a tongue to provide a triangular-shaped tooth 45 extending from the adjacent face 47 of the disc 43. In the connector, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the members 42 are arranged between the contact faces I7 of the contacts I5 and I6 and the shield portion 5 with the points of the protuberances 45 extending toward the shield. When the contacts 15 and I6 are clamped together, the protuberances 45 are forced through the protective coating 411 on the shield and into electrical contact with the metal of the shield and the rolling of the free end of the shank 20 over the outer surface of the contact 16 holds the assembly together.

FIGS. 6 to 8 inclusive illustrate a modified form of the present invention wherein the modified form is designated generally by the reference numeral 511. The form illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 8 is similar in construction and operation to the form shown in FIGS. I to 3 inclusive and the form illustrated in FIG. 7 is similar in construction and operation to the form shown in FIG. 4. The forms illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8 inclusive differ in the clamping structure and in the relation to a cable shield 52. Where like parts shown in FIGS. I to 5 inclusive are used in the forms shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 inclusive, like reference numerals are used.

The connector bond SI includes a contact structure I0 comprised of opposed members 15 and to that have electrical contact with a portion of the shield 52. The opposed members I5 and I6 are enclosed by resilient means II that are illustrated as resilient washers 29 that are held in sealing engagement with the contact structure 10 and the shield portion 52 outwardly from the contact structure 10 by a clamp'structure 53 that includes the clamp plate 32 and a clamp member 54. The clamp member 54 includes a shank 55 extending through at least one of the resilient washers 29 and in electrical contact with the contact members 15 and I6 and a portion 13 connected to the conductor I4.

In the illustrated structure, the clamp member 54 has a generally concave interface 56 substantially corresponding to the concavity of the face 33 of the plate 32. Preferably the shank 55 is integral with the clamp member 54 and extends from the concave interface 56. As illustrated, the shank 55 extends through the

bores

30, 25, 22, 36 and the aperture 211. The shank 55 preferably has a size substantially corresponding to the size of the bore 25 and a portion of the shank 55 positioned in the bore 25 is preferably knurled or otherwise formed to provide a plurality of protuberances or small ridges 57 therearound that have outer edges slightly larger than the bore 25 so as to penetrate the surface defining the bore 25 when assembled to assure electrical contact between" the shank 55 and the opposed contact member I5. The bores 30 of the resilient washers 29 are sized slightly smaller than the shank 55 whereby the surfaces defining the bores 30 will be in sealing engagement with the shank 55 when assembled Tightening of the nut 59 urges the

interfaces

34 and 56 into sealing engagement with-the resilient washers 29 and urges the marginal portions 28 of the resilient washers 29 into sealing engagement with the shield 52. If the shield 52 has a protective coating, similar to the protective coating 41 of the shield 4, coating penetrating members 42 are provided to assure electrical contact with the shield 52 through the protective coating. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the penetrating members 42 are positioned between the opposed surfaces 17 of the

opposed members

15 and 16 and are in an electrical contact with

opposite surfaces

60 and 61 of the shield 52. In the illustrated structure, the shield 52 is similar to the shield 4 differing in that the shield 52 is corrugated and the resilient washers 29 have sufficient resiliency to form a seal with the

opposite surfaces

60 and 61 thereof.

It is preferred that the connector bond 51 be supported to give stability thereto. It may be supported on a portion of the cable sheath 5, as for example, it may be mounted on the tongue 7 extending from the end of the cable sheath 5 andv in such structure, the aperture 39 is formed in the tongue 7 and the shank 55 is of sufficient length to extend therethrough to effect the mounting of the connector bond 51 thereon. As illustrated, the tongue 7 is interposed between a nut 62 such as a jam nut and the nut 59 with both nuts being in threaded engagement with the shank 55 securing the connector bond 51 to the tongue 7. The jam nut 62 is in engagement with the outer surface of the clamp plate 32 and when tightened, the jam nut62- secures the

clamp plates

32 and 54 in clamping engagement with the parts therebetween. The use of nuts to secure the tongue 7 to the shank 55 facilitates mounting the connector bond 51 on cables having soft or flexible sheaths enclosing same and also permits the use of common hand tools such as rotation imparting tools in assembling the connector bond 51.

The assembly and use ofthe connector bond 51 is similar to assembly and use of the connector bond 1. The major exception being that the clamping engagement is provided by the arrangement of the threaded shank 55 and the nuts 59 and or 62 and having the tongue 7 secured on the exterior of the

clamp plates

32 and 54.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a further modified form of the present invention in which the construction and operation is similar to the form shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 inclusive with a simplified assembly. When like parts shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 inclusive are used in the form shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, like reference numerals are used.

The connector bond 65 is particularly adapted to be assembled with a clamp structure and punch tools for aligning and peening parts as they aresecured in assembled relation. The connection bond 65 includes a contact structure 10 that has opposed members and 16 with faces 17 for contacting opposite faces of shield portion 8. A hollow shank 20 on the member 15 extends through an aperture 21 in the shield portion and a bore 22 in the member 16, the aperture 21 and bore 22 being of a size that the shank 20 is a close fit therein and with the

members

15 and 16 clamped against the shield portion 8 the shank 20 extends beyond the contact member 16 and the shank end is turned or peened outwardly to overlie the adjacent portion of member 16 to hold the contact members in tight contact with the shield portion 8.

The

contact members

15 and 16 and adjacent portion of the shield around the peripheries thereof are enclosed with resilient seal washers 29. The contact structure 10 has a through bore 25 and the outer surfaces 26 of the

members

15 and 16 are convex or conical; and the seal washers 29 engaging said outer surfaces 26 are larger in diameter than the

contact members

15 and 16 so the peripheral marginal portions of said washers engage the shield therea round.

A clampingstructure 66 has

clamp plates

31 and 72 in opposed relation which clamp plates have

inner faces

33 and 34 engaging the resilient seal washers 29 to clamp same against the contact members. The clamp plate 31 has a shank 67 extending therefrom and through bores 30 of the washers 29 and bore 25 of the contact shank. The shank 67 and bores 25 and 30 are of sizes providing close fits and the shank 67 preferably has a knurled portion 68 forming ridges to penetrate and engage the contact member surfaces defining the bore 25 to hold same against relative rotation. The clamp plates 3l.and 72 have concave inner faces 33 and 34 respectively substantially corresponding in inclinationwith the convex faces of the

contact members

15 and 16 to aid in compressing the washers 29 into sealing engagement with the shield and contact structure 10.

A conductor 69 has an end 70 suitably electrically connected to a terminal portion 71. In the illustrated structure the terminal portion uses a clamp plate 72 similar to the clamp plate 32 of the previously described embodiments with a hole 73 to fit on the shank 67 and a tongue 74 extending from the periphery of said clamp plate 72. The tongue has crimping fingers which may be crimped onto the conductor 69 at the factory providing positive economical connection. It is preferred for the clamp plate 72 to have a concave face 75 substantially the same as the inner face of the clamp plate 32. With the

clamp plates

31 and 72 in place with the resilient seal members 29 sandwiched between same and the assembled contact structure 10 all clamped together, the shank 67 extends through the structure and beyond the clamp plate 72 to provide an end 76 that is turned or peened outwardly to overlie the adjacent portion of the clamp plate 72 to hold the assembly together. This arrangement holds the clamp plates with the assembling pressure compressing the resilient washers and maintaining the sealed protected bond between the contact members and shield. If the shield has a protective coating, the structure may include coating penetrating members to assure electrical contact with the shield as with the structure in FIG. 4.

The connector bond 65 is supported on a tongue or strip portion 7 extending from an end of the cable sheath 5 in overlying relation to the clamp plate 72. The shank 67 has a bore 77 therein and the tongue 7 has an aperture 78 registering with the bore 77. A suitable fastener 79 secures the tongue 7 to the shank 67 and in the structure illustrated the fastener 79 is a drive screw or the like with a shank forced into the bore 77 with a fastener head 80 engaging the tongue 7 and clamping same against the clamp plate 72 and end of the shank 67. The structure as described is adapted to be easily assembled with a clamp structure and impact tools to provide a positive efficient bond that is substantially corrosion proof.

It is to be understood that while I have illustrated and described certain forms of my invention, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts herein described and shown.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent l. A shield connector for a joint of electrical cable, such cable having an vouter protective sheath and an inner metal covering in surrounding relation to the electrical conductors forming a shield therefor, comprising:

a. electrically conductive means in electrical contact with a surface portion of a metal shield of a cable;

b. resilient means in opposed relation and on opposite sides of said metal shield and conductive means in covering relation thereto, said resilient means having peripheral portions in sealing engagement radially outwardly of said conductive means thereby preventing entry of air and moisture to said conductive means;

0. means engaging said resilient means operative to hold same in sealing relation to the conductive means and metal shield; and

d. means extending through at least one of said resilient means, in sealing engagement therewith, and having electrical contact with said electrically conductive means and being electrically connected to a shield continuity of the cable.

2. A shield connector as set forth in claim ll wherein:

a. said metal shield having a protective coating in covering relation thereto; and

b. said electrically conductive means includes a plurality ofprotuberances penetrating through said protective coating effecting electrical contact with said metal shield.

3. A shield connector for a joint of electrical cable, such cable having an outer protective sheath and an inner metal covering in surrounding relation to the electrical conductors forming a shield therefor, comprising:

a. electrically conductive contact means having face portions in opposed relation in electrical contact with a portion of a metal shield therebetween;

b. resilient members in opposed relation and having faces in overlying sealing engagement with said contact means with peripheral portions radially outwardly of the contact means in sealing engagement with said metal shield preventing entry of air and moisture to the contacting portions of said contact means and shield, at least one said resilient member having an aperture therethrough normal to said faces;

c. clamp members in opposed relation and in overlying engagement with said resilient members; and

d. means securing said clamp members in a clamping relation to the resilient members and retaining same in sealing engagement with said shield and contact means, said securing means including an electrically conductive member extending through the aperture of said at least one resilient member and in sealing engagement therewith and having electrical contact with said contact means and a minimum of one said clamp member forming electrical connection therebetween.

4. A shield connector as set forth in claim 3 wherein:

a. said shield having a protective coating thereon;

b. said contact means face portions having a plurality of protuberances penetrating the protective coating and making electrical contact with said shield, at least one of said contact means having an aperture normal to said face portions;

c. a shank member extending into said contact means aperture and having engagement with said contact means securing same in substantial alignment and in clamping relation to said metal shield.

5. A shield connector as set forth in claim 3 wherein:

a. said contact means including contact members in opposed relation, each having a said face portion and an outer convex surface, said contact members being on opposite sides of the metalshield portion and in clamping relation thereto, said metal shield having an aperture therethrough;

b. a connecting member extending through the metal shield aperture and securing saidcontact members in aligned clamping relationto the metal shield, said connecting member and contact members having a bore axially therethrough;

c. said resilient members each having an outer surface and an apertureaxially therethrough in substantial alignment with the bore through said conne'cting member and contact members;

d. said clamp members having an inner concave face engaging said outer surface of said resilient members, and compressing the .resilient members to substantially conform the inner faces thereof to the shape of the convex outer faces of the contact members;

e. the clamp member securing means and electrically conductive member including a shank extending through the apertures of said resilient members and the bore of said connecting member and contact members in electrical contact therewith, said clamp member securing means having electrical contact with said clamp members; and

f. electrically conductive means'secured to and having electrical contact with one said clamp member and being connected to a shield continuity of the cable.

6. A shield connector as set forth in claim 5 wherein:

a. one of said contact members having a through aperture normal to the face portion thereof;

b. said connecting member being integral with the other contact member and extending through said aperture in said one contact member and having a portion extending over a portion of said one contact member securing said contact members in clamped relation to said metal shield therebetween.

7. A shield connector as set forth in claim 6 wherein:

a. one said clamp member having an aperture axially therethrough in substantially aligned relation to the apertures through said resilient members;

b. the shank of said clamp member securing means being integral with the other clamp member and extending from the inner concave face thereof, said shank having a free end extending through the aperture of said one clamp member; and

c. means on said free end engaging said one clamp member and securing said clamp members in clamping relation to said resilient members, contact members and shield portion therebetween.

8. A shield connector as set forth in claim '7 wherein:

a. said shield having a protective coating thereon;

and

b. said contact means including a contact plate between one said contact member and said shield portion and having one surface in electrical contact with the inner planar face of said one contact member, said contact plate having a plurality of integral protuberances extending therefrom and penetrating said protective coating and in electrical contact with said metal shield portion.

9. A shield connector as set forth inclaim 8 wherein: a. said connecting member and contact member having a surface defining the through bore therein;

b. said shank having a knurled outer surface having ridges in penetrating engagement with the contact member. 1

10. A shield connector as set forth in claim 6 wherein:

a. said cable having an outer protective sheath in covering relation thereto with a portion between one clamp member and an adjacent resilient member and an aperture aligned with apertures therein; and

b. said shank extending through said apertures securing the shield connector to said protective sheath providing'mounting support for said shield connector.

11. A shield connector as set forth in claim 6 wherein:

b. said shank being secured to the other clamp member and extending from the inner concave face thereof, said shank having a threaded portion extending through the aperture of said one clamp member and having a nut in threaded engagement therewith for securing said clamp members in clamping relation to said resilient members, contact members and shield portion therebetween.

12. A shield connector as set forth in claim 11 wherein:

a. said connecting member and contact members have a surface defining the bore therethrough;

b. said shank has an outer surface with a plurality of protuberances extending therefrom, said protuberances having .an outer dimension slightly larger than the bore for penetrating engagement with said bore defining surface, said shank forming an electrical conductor between said clamp members and said contact members.

13. A shield connector as set forth in claim 6 and including:

a. said shank having a bore extending therein from an end thereof;

b. a cable protective sheath portion overlying the clamp member at said end of the shank and having an aperture aligned with said bore;

c. a headed fastening means engaging said sheath portion and having an elongate portion extending through the sheath aperture and anchored in said shank bore.

14. A shield connector as set forth in claim 3 including:

a. one of said clamp members, said contact means, metal shield and resilient members each having aligned bores therein; and

b. said securing means includes a shank secured to the other said clamp member and extending through said bores, said shank having a threaded end extending outwardly of said one clamp member and having a nut in threaded engagement therewith for securing the clamp members in clamping relation to said resilient members, contact means and shield portion therebetween.

15. A shield connector as set forth in claim 14 wherein:

a. said cable having an outer protective sheath in covering relation thereto with a portion having an aperture therethrough, said portion having opposed surfaces;

b. said shank extending through said aperture with said nut in engagement with one of said opposed surfaces, said shank having a second nut in threaded engagement therewith wherein said second nut is in engagement with the other of said opposed surfaces securing the shield connector to said protective sheath providing mounting support for said shield connector.

16. A shield connector as set forth in claim 3 including:

a. an electrical connector for shield continuity and having a terminal member engaging one of said clamp members;

b. said one clamp member, said contact means, metal shield and resilient members each having aligned bores therein;

c. said securing means including a shank having connection with the other said clamp member and extending through said bores, and having an end with an end portion engaging said one clamp member for securing the clamp members in clamping relation to said resilient members, contact means and shield portion therebetween, said shank having a bore extending therein from said shank end;

(1. a cable protective sheath portion overlying said one clamp member and having an aperture aligned with the bore in said shank;

e.-fastening means with a head portion engaging said sheath portion and an elongate portion extending from said head through the sheath aperture and secured in said shank bore to secure the sheath portion thereto.

17. A shield connector as set forth in claim 16 wherein:

a. said shank end portion extends outwardly over a portion of said one clamp member;

b. said fastening means is a drive screw.

18. In an electrical cable having a plurality of wires surrounded by a thin metal shield which is covered by a protective coating and enclosed in a protective sheath, wherein the shield is separated for access to said enclosed wires, an electrical connector for the separated shield to maintain shield continuity for the cable and comprising:

a. opposed electrical contact members having adjacent faces engaging a shield portion and having protuberances penetrating the protective coating for electrical contact with said shield, said contact members having convex outer faces;

b. means extending through the shield and securing the contact members in shield clamping position;

c. resilient members engaging said convex outer faces of the contact members and having marginal portions extending outwardly of the peripheries thereof into engagement with the shield portion and cooperating therewith in enclosing the contact members and shield portion engaged thereby;

d. clamp plate members engaged with the resilient members whereby the resilient members, contact members and said shield portion are sandwiched therebetween, at least one of said clamp plate members, the resilient members, contact members and shield portion having aligned borestherethrough;

. a shank connected to one of said clamp plate members and extending through said bores and engaged with the other clamp plate member to compress the sandwiched members therebetween and compress said shank and the contact members having interengaging portions at the bores of said contact members for electrical connection thereof;

g.. one of said clamp plate members having an electrical connection with shield continuity.

Claims

1. A shield connector for a joint of electrical cable, such cable having an outer protective sheath and an inner metal covering in surrounding relation to the electrical conductors forming a shield therefor, comprising: a. electrically conductive means in electrical contact with a surface portion of a metal shield of a cable; b. resilient means in opposed relation and on opposite sides of said metal shield and conductive means in covering relation thereto, said resilient means having peripheral portions in sealing engagement radially outwardly of said conductive means thereby preventing entry of air and moisture to said conductive means; c. means engaging said resilient means operative to hold same in sealing relation to the conductive means and metal shield; and d. means extending through at least one of said resilient means, in sealing engagement therewith, and having electrical contact with said electrically conductive means and being electrically connected to a shield continuity of the cable.

2. A shield connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. said metal shield having a protective coating in covering relation thereto; and b. said electrically conductive means includes a plurality of protuberances penetrating through said protective coating effecting electrical contact with said metal shield.

3. A shield connector for a joint of electrical cable, such cable having an outer protective sheath and an inner metal covering in surrounding relation to the electrical conductors forming a shield therefor, comprising: a. electrically conductive contact means having face portions in opposed relation in electrical contact with a portion of a metal shield therebetween; b. resilient members in opposed relation and having faces in overlying sealing engagement with said contact means with peripheral portions radially outwardly of the contact means in sealing engagement with said metal shield preventing entry of air and moisture to the contacting portions of said contact means and shield, at least one said resilient member having an aperture therethrough normal to said faces; c. clamp members in opposed relation and in overlying engagement with said resilient members; and d. means securing said clamp members in a clamping relation to the resilient members and retaining same in sealing engagement with said shield and contact means, said securing means including an electrically conductive member extending through the aperture of said at least one resilient member and in sealing engagement therewith and having electrical contact with said contact means and a minimum of one said clamp member forming electrical connection therebetween.

4. A shield connector as set forth in claim 3 wherein: a. said shield having a protective coating thereon; b. said contact means face portions having a plurality of protUberances penetrating the protective coating and making electrical contact with said shield, at least one of said contact means having an aperture normal to said face portions; c. a shank member extending into said contact means aperture and having engagement with said contact means securing same in substantial alignment and in clamping relation to said metal shield.

5. A shield connector as set forth in claim 3 wherein: a. said contact means including contact members in opposed relation, each having a said face portion and an outer convex surface, said contact members being on opposite sides of the metal shield portion and in clamping relation thereto, said metal shield having an aperture therethrough; b. a connecting member extending through the metal shield aperture and securing said contact members in aligned clamping relation to the metal shield, said connecting member and contact members having a bore axially therethrough; c. said resilient members each having an outer surface and an aperture axially therethrough in substantial alignment with the bore through said connecting member and contact members; d. said clamp members having an inner concave face engaging said outer surface of said resilient members, and compressing the resilient members to substantially conform the inner faces thereof to the shape of the convex outer faces of the contact members; e. the clamp member securing means and electrically conductive member including a shank extending through the apertures of said resilient members and the bore of said connecting member and contact members in electrical contact therewith, said clamp member securing means having electrical contact with said clamp members; and f. electrically conductive means secured to and having electrical contact with one said clamp member and being connected to a shield continuity of the cable.

6. A shield connector as set forth in claim 5 wherein: a. one of said contact members having a through aperture normal to the face portion thereof; b. said connecting member being integral with the other contact member and extending through said aperture in said one contact member and having a portion extending over a portion of said one contact member securing said contact members in clamped relation to said metal shield therebetween.

7. A shield connector as set forth in claim 6 wherein: a. one said clamp member having an aperture axially therethrough in substantially aligned relation to the apertures through said resilient members; b. the shank of said clamp member securing means being integral with the other clamp member and extending from the inner concave face thereof, said shank having a free end extending through the aperture of said one clamp member; and c. means on said free end engaging said one clamp member and securing said clamp members in clamping relation to said resilient members, contact members and shield portion therebetween.

8. A shield connector as set forth in claim 7 wherein: a. said shield having a protective coating thereon; and b. said contact means including a contact plate between one said contact member and said shield portion and having one surface in electrical contact with the inner planar face of said one contact member, said contact plate having a plurality of integral protuberances extending therefrom and penetrating said protective coating and in electrical contact with said metal shield portion.

9. A shield connector as set forth in claim 8 wherein: a. said connecting member and contact member having a surface defining the through bore therein; b. said shank having a knurled outer surface having ridges in penetrating engagement with the contact member.

10. A shield connector as set forth in claim 6 wherein: a. said cable having an outer protective sheath in covering relation thereto with a portion between one clamp member and an adjacent resilient member and an aperture aligned with apertures therein; and b. said shank extending through said apertures securing the shield connector to said protective sheath providing mounting support for said shield connector.

11. A shield connector as set forth in claim 6 wherein: a. one said clamp member having an aperture axially therethrough in substantially aligned relation to the apertures through said resilient members; b. said shank being secured to the other clamp member and extending from the inner concave face thereof, said shank having a threaded portion extending through the aperture of said one clamp member and having a nut in threaded engagement therewith for securing said clamp members in clamping relation to said resilient members, contact members and shield portion therebetween.

12. A shield connector as set forth in claim 11 wherein: a. said connecting member and contact members have a surface defining the bore therethrough; b. said shank has an outer surface with a plurality of protuberances extending therefrom, said protuberances having an outer dimension slightly larger than the bore for penetrating engagement with said bore defining surface, said shank forming an electrical conductor between said clamp members and said contact members.

13. A shield connector as set forth in claim 6 and including: a. said shank having a bore extending therein from an end thereof; b. a cable protective sheath portion overlying the clamp member at said end of the shank and having an aperture aligned with said bore; c. a headed fastening means engaging said sheath portion and having an elongate portion extending through the sheath aperture and anchored in said shank bore.

14. A shield connector as set forth in claim 3 including: a. one of said clamp members, said contact means, metal shield and resilient members each having aligned bores therein; and b. said securing means includes a shank secured to the other said clamp member and extending through said bores, said shank having a threaded end extending outwardly of said one clamp member and having a nut in threaded engagement therewith for securing the clamp members in clamping relation to said resilient members, contact means and shield portion therebetween.

15. A shield connector as set forth in claim 14 wherein: a. said cable having an outer protective sheath in covering relation thereto with a portion having an aperture therethrough, said portion having opposed surfaces; b. said shank extending through said aperture with said nut in engagement with one of said opposed surfaces, said shank having a second nut in threaded engagement therewith wherein said second nut is in engagement with the other of said opposed surfaces securing the shield connector to said protective sheath providing mounting support for said shield connector.

16. A shield connector as set forth in claim 3 including: a. an electrical connector for shield continuity and having a terminal member engaging one of said clamp members; b. said one clamp member, said contact means, metal shield and resilient members each having aligned bores therein; c. said securing means including a shank having connection with the other said clamp member and extending through said bores, and having an end with an end portion engaging said one clamp member for securing the clamp members in clamping relation to said resilient members, contact means and shield portion therebetween, said shank having a bore extending therein from said shank end; d. a cable protective sheath portion overlying said one clamp member and having an aperture aligned with the bore in said shank; e. fastening means with a head portion engaging said sheath portion and an elongate portion extending from said head through the sheath aperture and secured in said shank bore to secure the sheath portion thereto.

17. A shield connector as set forth in claim 16 wherein: a. said shank end portion extends outwardly over a portion of said one clamp member; b. said fastening means is a drive screw.

18. In an electrical cable having a plurality of wires surrounded by a thin metal shield which is covered by a protective coating and enclosed in a protective sheath, wherein the shield is separated for access to said enclosed wires, an electrical connector for the separated shield to maintain shield continuity for the cable and comprising: a. opposed electrical contact members having adjacent faces engaging a shield portion and having protuberances penetrating the protective coating for electrical contact with said shield, said contact members having convex outer faces; b. means extending through the shield and securing the contact members in shield clamping position; c. resilient members engaging said convex outer faces of the contact members and having marginal portions extending outwardly of the peripheries thereof into engagement with the shield portion and cooperating therewith in enclosing the contact members and shield portion engaged thereby; d. clamp plate members engaged with the resilient members whereby the resilient members, contact members and said shield portion are sandwiched therebetween, at least one of said clamp plate members, the resilient members, contact members and shield portion having aligned bores therethrough; e. a shank connected to one of said clamp plate members and extending through said bores and engaged with the other clamp plate member to compress the sandwiched members therebetween and compress said resilient members to effect sealing engagement thereof with the shank, clamp plate members, and contact members and sealing engagement of the marginal portions of the resilient members with the shield portion around the contact members whereby the contact members and the shield portion engaged thereby are enclosed in air and moisture tight confinement; f. said shank and the contact members having interengaging portions at the bores of said contact members for electrical connection thereof; g. one of said clamp plate members having an electrical connection with shield continuity.