US3887256A - Tractor-trailer electrical connector - Google Patents

Tractor-trailer electrical connector Download PDF

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Publication number
US3887256A
US3887256A US345349A US34534973A US3887256A US 3887256 A US3887256 A US 3887256A US 345349 A US345349 A US 345349A US 34534973 A US34534973 A US 34534973A US 3887256 A US3887256 A US 3887256A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
housing
receptacle
cable
connector
spring
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US345349A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Boleslaw Klimek
Victor Mastis
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Echlin Inc
Berg Manufacturing Co
Original Assignee
Berg Manufacturing Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Berg Manufacturing Co filed Critical Berg Manufacturing Co
Priority to US345349A priority Critical patent/US3887256A/en
Priority to CA193,117A priority patent/CA1003063A/en
Priority to JP49029297A priority patent/JPS49129184A/ja
Priority to IT49583/74A priority patent/IT1003860B/it
Priority to DE2414867A priority patent/DE2414867A1/de
Priority to GB1362374A priority patent/GB1434001A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3887256A publication Critical patent/US3887256A/en
Assigned to ECHLIN INC. reassignment ECHLIN INC. CHANGE OF NAME (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). EFFECTIVE JAN. 11, 1982 Assignors: ECHLIN MANUFACTURING COMPANY THE
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
    • H01R13/52—Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof cases
    • H01R13/5219—Sealing means between coupling parts, e.g. interfacial seal
    • H01R13/5221—Sealing means between coupling parts, e.g. interfacial seal having cable sealing means
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/58—Means for relieving strain on wire connection, e.g. cord grip, for avoiding loosening of connections between wires and terminals within a coupling device terminating a cable
    • H01R13/595—Bolts operating in a direction transverse to the cable or wire

Definitions

  • a connector assembly includes a connector having fe male contact members and a receptacle having male contact members.
  • the receptacle has a normally 339/44 closed cover which forms an angle of other than 90 1 l with the axis of the receptacla
  • the Connector has a [58] Fleld of Search 339/44, 43, 36, 176, 94, cable pp formed of a rubber or rubberlike matc 339/63 101403 rial which not only supports the cable, but forms a seal with it.
  • the present invention relates to electrical connector assemblies particularly adapted for use in tractortrailer combinations.
  • a primary purpose of the present invention is a connector assembly having an improved cable clamp for the connector.
  • Another purpose is a connector assembly of the type described in which the cable support is formed of a rubberlike material to provide both support for the cable and a seal with the cable preventing the intrusion of moisture into the connector assembly.
  • Another purpose is a connector assembly of the type described in which the connector receptacle is inclined, relative to its cover, to permit the draining of any water which has accumulated within the receptacle.
  • Another purpose is an improved connector assembly of the type described utilizing a seal to both seal a portion of the receptacle and form a seal with the connector.
  • Another purpose is an improved cover sealing arrangement for use in a connector assembly receptacle.
  • Another purpose is a connector assembly of the type described in which individual cable clamps utilize selftapping screws and holes of approximately screw pitch diameter to tightly hold the screws within the material of the receptacle.
  • FIG. 1 is a side view of the connector assembly showing the connector and receptacle separated, one from another,
  • FIG. 2 is a section through the receptacle of FIG. 1,
  • FIG. 3 is an end view of the receptacle
  • FIG. 4 is a partially exploded view illustrating a cable clamp for the receptacle
  • FIG. 5 is a section through the connector
  • FIG. 6 is an end view of the connector
  • FIG. 7 is a side view of the connector, with portions broken away to illustrate the cable clamp, and
  • FIG. 8 is a section along plane 88 of FIG. 7.
  • the right-hand end of the housing has a cable receiving opening 16 in the shape of a cylindrical passage.
  • a portion of the housing 14, indicated at 18, extends outwardly to form the passage 16 and to provide an external annular groove 20. That portion of the housing extension l8 outwardly of the groove 20 may be somewhat conical in configuration, as indicated at 22.
  • a cable support 24 which is preferably formed of a flexible material, for example rubber or a suitable rubber substitute, has an inwardly-directed flange 26 which fits into the groove 22 to hold the cable support to the housing 14.
  • a cable is indicated in broken lines in FIG. 5 and it can be seen that the smaller right-hand end of the conically tapered cable support 24 will firmly grip the cable and because of the flexible properties of the rubberlike material forming the cable support, there will be a seal formed between the support and the cable to preclude the seepage of water into the connector.
  • a body member 28 having a plurality of spaced apertures 30 is positioned to close the left-hand end of the housing 14.
  • a seal 32 may be formed between the end of the housing 14 and a flange 34 of the body 28.
  • the body has an inwardlyextending outer circumferential wall 36 which fits closely within and is in contact with the inner surface of the housing 14.
  • the contact members 40 which may be suitably connected to the various individual wires forming a part of the cable attached to the connector are electrically separated, one from another, by the body member which may be formed of a suitable insulating material.
  • a spacer member 42 is positioned within the housing 14 and has an opening 44 to receive the cable.
  • the cable, positioned within the connector, will be completely enclosed by insulation and will not be separated into its individual wires, except for that portion of the cable to the left of the spacer 42 adjacent the female contacts 40.
  • the clamp for the cable includes an arcuate-shaped clamp member 46 axially positioned between the spacer 42 and the housing passage 16, and illustrated particularly in FIG. 8.
  • the external surface of the clamp member 46 has a groove 48 which receives a flat spring 50, confined by the inner surface of the housing 14 to the configuration of FIG. 8.
  • An adjustment member or screw 52 is threadedly received within a passage 54 in a boss 56 extending from one side of the connector housing 14 and serves to urge the aforesaid spring and clamp member into engagement with the cable.
  • the screw 52 is moved inward within passage 54, it will force the inner clamping surface 58 of the arcuate clamp member 46 toward the cable, tending to force the cable toward the opposite side of passage 16 and toward the opposite side of the spacer 42, thus firmly clamping and gripping the cable within the connector.
  • the flat spring 50 will continue to have its ends 60 forced against the inside wall of the housing 14 with the spring, thus adding its biasing and centering force to that from screw 52.
  • the receptacle 12 has a generally cylindrical housing 62, with an open end 64 closed by a cover 66.
  • the opposite end of the housing has an opening 68 which is closed by a plate member 70.
  • mounting means 72 Extending outwardly from opposite sides of the housing 62 are mounting means 72 each having a conventional hole 74 for use in mounting the receptacle.
  • coil spring 76 is mounted to projecting portions 78 of the housing 62 and biases the cover 66 to the closed position of FIG. 2.
  • the spring as indicated in FIG. 2, is covered by an arcuate portion 80 of the cover 66 so as to prevent any portion of the spring from catching on the clothes of a mechanic or the like.
  • That portion of the housing 62 adjacent the open end 64 has a peripherally extending tapered groove 82 which receives an inwardly directed similarly tapered rib 84 on the cover 66 so as to form a firm seal between the cover and the housing 62 when the connector is not inserted into the receptacle 12.
  • the axis of the receptacle 12, as indicated at 86 in FIG. 1, forms a slight angle, on the order of about five degrees, with a line perpendicular to the mounting means 72 and the cover 66 when in the closed position.
  • the housing 62 of the receptacle 12, when mounted will be slightly tilted to the plane of the mounting means such that any accumulation of moisture within the receptacle will flow down toward the cover and will immediately drain out of the receptacle when the cover is opened. Such moisture will not be on or near the contacts within the receptacle, but instead will be accumulating in the corner of the receptacle adjacent the cover.
  • the plate member 70 fits within the open end 68 of the housing 62 and there may be a generally L-shaped seal 88 formed between these two elements to preclude the passage of water into the receptacle.
  • the inner end 90 of the seal 88 extends within the receptacle and is in'a position to be in sealing contact with the body member 28 of the connector when the connector is inserted into the receptacle.
  • the seal 88 not only performs a sealing function in the receptacle itself, but is also effective to form a seal between the receptacle and the connector.
  • a plurality of male contact members 92 Positioned within apertures in the plate member 70 are a plurality of male contact members 92 which may be metallic and formed in a conventional manner. When the connector and receptacle are assembled, the contact members 92 will be positioned within the fe male contact members 40 of the connector.
  • the plate member 70 may have a plurality of ribs 94 which separate adjacent apertures 96 which are cable or wire receiving apertures. Thus, there is electrical isolation between adjacent contacts.
  • cable clamping screws 98 extend into the apertures 96 to hold the cables or wires within the apertures.
  • the screws 98 may be inserted into openings 100 in the wall forming the apertures 96 and it should be noted that the diameter of the openings 100 is approximately equal to the pitch diameter of the screws 98.
  • the axial length of the openings 100 is somewhat short and there is initially no and not lost because of the binding contact between the screw threads and the material.
  • the receptacle when mounted, forms an angle such that any accumulated moisture flows to an area adjacent the cover so that when the cover is first opened, the moisture will be immediately drained from the receptacle.
  • the particular means of mounting the cables to the receptacle is important. By the use of self-tapping screws and by the particular relationship between the pitch diameter of the screw and the size of the openings, it is not necessary for the length of the openings to be of substantial axial extent. The close contact between the screw threads and the threads formed by the action of the screw will hold the screws within the plate assembly and they will not be lost.
  • the particular cable clamp is important and its location and disposition within the connector. Also, the use of a flexible rubberlike material to form the cable support is important, as it provides not only a seal with the cable, preventing the entrance of moisture, but also a firm support for the cable as it is mounted to the connector.
  • said connector including a housing, a cable receiving aperture at one end thereof, a flexible cable support attached to said housing at said cable receiving aperture, said cable support being formed of a material to be in sealing contact with a cable therein, a plurality of female contact members positioned within the housing adjacent the opposite end thereof, and a plurality of openings in said opposite end in alignment with said female contact members, a cable clamp within said connector housing including a clamp member and a spring having end portions and a central portion positioned about said clamp member, an adjustment member engaging said spring and urging said clamp member into engagement with a cable therein, said clamp member having a generally arcuate outer surface including a groove and an inner surface formed and adapted to mate with a cable outer surface, said central portion of said spring being positioned within said groove of said clamp member, with the outer surface of said end portions of said spring being in contact with and restrained by an inner surface of said connector housing, movement of said adjustment member radially inward of said housing causing at least said central portion of said spring to translate radially of said housing
  • said receptacle including a housing, a plurality of cable receiving apertures at one end thereof, the opposite end of said housing having an opening and a cover therefor, a plurality of male contact members in said receptacle housing in alignment with said apertures, said male contact members being ceptacle housing said annular seal forming a seal with the connector housing, when the receptacle and connector are assembled.
  • the structure of claim 1 further characterized by and including an annular slot circumferentially positioned about the open end of the receptacle housing, said cover having an annular rib formed and adapted to mate with said slot when the cover is closed.

Landscapes

  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
US345349A 1973-03-27 1973-03-27 Tractor-trailer electrical connector Expired - Lifetime US3887256A (en)

Priority Applications (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US345349A US3887256A (en) 1973-03-27 1973-03-27 Tractor-trailer electrical connector
CA193,117A CA1003063A (en) 1973-03-27 1974-02-21 Tractor-trailer electrical connector
JP49029297A JPS49129184A (ja) 1973-03-27 1974-03-15
IT49583/74A IT1003860B (it) 1973-03-27 1974-03-25 Perfezionamento nei connettori elettrici multipolari
DE2414867A DE2414867A1 (de) 1973-03-27 1974-03-27 Elektrischer verbinder
GB1362374A GB1434001A (en) 1973-03-27 1974-03-27 Electrical connector and an assembly including such connector

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US345349A US3887256A (en) 1973-03-27 1973-03-27 Tractor-trailer electrical connector

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3887256A true US3887256A (en) 1975-06-03

Family

ID=23354689

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US345349A Expired - Lifetime US3887256A (en) 1973-03-27 1973-03-27 Tractor-trailer electrical connector

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US3887256A (ja)
JP (1) JPS49129184A (ja)
CA (1) CA1003063A (ja)
DE (1) DE2414867A1 (ja)
GB (1) GB1434001A (ja)
IT (1) IT1003860B (ja)

Cited By (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2704885A1 (de) * 1976-02-23 1977-09-01 Echlin Mfg Co Fassungsteil fuer eine elektrische steckkupplung
US4061407A (en) * 1976-03-18 1977-12-06 Samuel Moore And Company Electrical connector assembly
US4106834A (en) * 1976-06-30 1978-08-15 Sloan Valve Company Electrical connector
US4786261A (en) * 1987-01-20 1988-11-22 Ramos Jr Phillip M Electrical connector assembly for a truck-trailer jumper cable
US4793819A (en) * 1987-02-20 1988-12-27 Sloan Valve Company Over-the-road vehicle electrical connector with drain passage
GB2260654A (en) * 1991-10-04 1993-04-21 Unisys Corp Electrical connector cover
US6162085A (en) * 1999-08-19 2000-12-19 Delphi Technologies, Inc. Electrical connector assembly for jumper cable
US20030100206A1 (en) * 2001-11-28 2003-05-29 Carlo Rosa Safety device for the supply of power to electrical equipment
US20040074745A1 (en) * 2002-08-13 2004-04-22 Cosmo Castaldo Method and apparatus for selectively locking a standard plug to a standard receptacle
US20040115978A1 (en) * 2002-09-18 2004-06-17 Kayvan Hedayat Trailer tow connector assembly
US20050239308A1 (en) * 2002-09-18 2005-10-27 Dave Cummings Trailer tow connector assembly
WO2010044057A1 (en) * 2008-10-16 2010-04-22 Comestero Sistemi Spa Wet seal connector provided with unthreading device
US20120108089A1 (en) * 2009-04-13 2012-05-03 Sandra Lorraine Gravolin Protective Housing Assembly and Connector
US20140370732A1 (en) * 2013-06-13 2014-12-18 Intermountain Electronics, Inc. Plug and receptacle assembly
EP2218147A4 (en) * 2008-11-14 2017-02-22 Kenneth Smith Weatherproof connector
US9673564B2 (en) 2013-09-24 2017-06-06 Phoenix Contact E-Mobility Gmbh Electrical plug connector part with a drain and an intermediate chamber
US11387610B2 (en) 2018-12-10 2022-07-12 Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. Mechanical interlock with enhanced features
US11842863B2 (en) 2018-11-20 2023-12-12 Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. Mechanical interlock with enhanced features

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DK154382C (da) * 1983-09-29 1989-04-10 Grundfos As Traekaflastningsnippel
DE202007009307U1 (de) * 2007-07-03 2007-09-13 ABL SURSUM Bayerische Elektrozubehör GmbH & Co. KG Elektrischer Steckverbinder mit Stoßfänger und/oder Kabeleinführungstülle aus elastischem Material
EP2849291B1 (de) * 2013-09-16 2017-04-05 Intercontec Pfeiffer Industrie-Steckverbindungen GmbH Steckverbindungssystem mit einer Steckdose und mit einem Stecker
JP6560239B2 (ja) * 2014-01-24 2019-08-14 ボルボトラックコーポレーション トラクタ−トレーラ間ケーブルの電気コネクタ

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1750014A (en) * 1928-01-06 1930-03-11 Ralco Mfg Company Electric-current connection
US2715212A (en) * 1951-02-15 1955-08-09 Bendix Aviat Corp Electrical connectors
US3125394A (en) * 1964-03-17 Explosion proof plug and receptacle
US3239791A (en) * 1964-12-17 1966-03-08 Clas O F Fyrk Electrical disconnect coupling
US3284753A (en) * 1963-09-18 1966-11-08 Lehigh Valley Ind Inc Electrical connector assembly

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS4431576Y1 (ja) * 1968-03-23 1969-12-26
JPS4431577Y1 (ja) * 1968-04-17 1969-12-26

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3125394A (en) * 1964-03-17 Explosion proof plug and receptacle
US1750014A (en) * 1928-01-06 1930-03-11 Ralco Mfg Company Electric-current connection
US2715212A (en) * 1951-02-15 1955-08-09 Bendix Aviat Corp Electrical connectors
US3284753A (en) * 1963-09-18 1966-11-08 Lehigh Valley Ind Inc Electrical connector assembly
US3239791A (en) * 1964-12-17 1966-03-08 Clas O F Fyrk Electrical disconnect coupling

Cited By (25)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2704885A1 (de) * 1976-02-23 1977-09-01 Echlin Mfg Co Fassungsteil fuer eine elektrische steckkupplung
US4061407A (en) * 1976-03-18 1977-12-06 Samuel Moore And Company Electrical connector assembly
US4106834A (en) * 1976-06-30 1978-08-15 Sloan Valve Company Electrical connector
US4786261A (en) * 1987-01-20 1988-11-22 Ramos Jr Phillip M Electrical connector assembly for a truck-trailer jumper cable
US4793819A (en) * 1987-02-20 1988-12-27 Sloan Valve Company Over-the-road vehicle electrical connector with drain passage
GB2260654B (en) * 1991-10-04 1995-04-26 Unisys Corp Electrical connector cover
GB2260654A (en) * 1991-10-04 1993-04-21 Unisys Corp Electrical connector cover
US6162085A (en) * 1999-08-19 2000-12-19 Delphi Technologies, Inc. Electrical connector assembly for jumper cable
US20030100206A1 (en) * 2001-11-28 2003-05-29 Carlo Rosa Safety device for the supply of power to electrical equipment
US20060027446A1 (en) * 2002-08-13 2006-02-09 Cosmo Castaldo Method and apparatus for selectively locking a standard plug to a standard receptacle
US20040074745A1 (en) * 2002-08-13 2004-04-22 Cosmo Castaldo Method and apparatus for selectively locking a standard plug to a standard receptacle
US7119292B2 (en) * 2002-08-13 2006-10-10 Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. Method and apparatus for selectively locking a standard plug to a standard receptacle
US6956176B2 (en) * 2002-08-13 2005-10-18 Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. Method and apparatus for selectively locking a standard plug to a standard receptacle
US20050239308A1 (en) * 2002-09-18 2005-10-27 Dave Cummings Trailer tow connector assembly
US20040115978A1 (en) * 2002-09-18 2004-06-17 Kayvan Hedayat Trailer tow connector assembly
US7331792B2 (en) 2002-09-18 2008-02-19 Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc. Trailer tow connector assembly
WO2010044057A1 (en) * 2008-10-16 2010-04-22 Comestero Sistemi Spa Wet seal connector provided with unthreading device
EP2218147A4 (en) * 2008-11-14 2017-02-22 Kenneth Smith Weatherproof connector
US20120108089A1 (en) * 2009-04-13 2012-05-03 Sandra Lorraine Gravolin Protective Housing Assembly and Connector
US8500468B2 (en) * 2009-04-13 2013-08-06 Sandra Lorraine Gravolin Protective housing assembly and connector
US20140370732A1 (en) * 2013-06-13 2014-12-18 Intermountain Electronics, Inc. Plug and receptacle assembly
US9337593B2 (en) * 2013-06-13 2016-05-10 Intermountain Electronics, Inc. Plug and receptacle assembly
US9673564B2 (en) 2013-09-24 2017-06-06 Phoenix Contact E-Mobility Gmbh Electrical plug connector part with a drain and an intermediate chamber
US11842863B2 (en) 2018-11-20 2023-12-12 Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. Mechanical interlock with enhanced features
US11387610B2 (en) 2018-12-10 2022-07-12 Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. Mechanical interlock with enhanced features

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS49129184A (ja) 1974-12-11
CA1003063A (en) 1977-01-04
IT1003860B (it) 1976-06-10
DE2414867A1 (de) 1974-10-10
GB1434001A (en) 1976-04-28

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AS Assignment

Owner name: ECHLIN INC.

Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:ECHLIN MANUFACTURING COMPANY THE;REEL/FRAME:004088/0342

Effective date: 19820108

STCF Information on status: patent grant

Free format text: PATENTED FILE - (OLD CASE ADDED FOR FILE TRACKING PURPOSES)