Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
UNIYERS~L CONNECTOR
The invention generally relates to a universal connector adapted to
securely hold and prevent relative movement of an elongated member such as a
cable, hose or pipe passing through the connector. More specifically, the present
invention is directed to a means for securing an elongated member such as an
electrical cable, hose, pipe or any other cable-like or hose-lillce element against
axial displacerment of the member. The invention generally comprises a hollow
body through which the cable-like element may be passed and a novel compressibleclamping elernent for securing the cable-lilce element within the hollow body to:10 prevent relative movement between the body and cable-like element.
In aecordance with a siEni-fic~nt feature of the invention, the
compressible clamping element comprises at lsast one pair of oppose~, contactingstar washers which are inserted into the hollow body and surround the cable-likeelement to be secured. The star washers initially are arranged within the body
whereby the teeth of the star washers contact one another and define an interiordiameter for the contacting washers ~,vhich is somewhat larger than the outer
diameter of the cable-like element to be secured. Aceordingly, the element may
be conveniently passed through the star washers as it is inserted through the
body of the connector. Nieans are provided to exert a compressive force on the
star washers to force the star washers together thereby bending the teeth inwardly
to grip and secure the cable-like element.
The star washers are mounted within a right cylindrical member. The
use of a right cylindrieal configuration for the member enables multiples of thegripping elements to be stacked or ganged in end-to-end relationship within the
hollow body. The stacked arrangement of the star washers provides a superior
gripping action on the elongated member to be secured.
The universal connector of the present invention is ideally suited to
act as a clamping me~h~ni~m for any cable-like element such as an electrical
cable, pipe or hose. Moreover, the connector may be arranged to form a
termination, union or connector for a cable-like or hose-like element or elements.
In the preferred embodiment, the above-described inventive s~oncept
is incorporated into an electrical cable connector or clamp used to clamp and
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secure in place an electrical cable which passes through the wall of the electrical
junction box. The electrical connector or clamp of the present invention eliminates
the possibility that a remote pull or je~king action on the electrical cable will
dislodge the end of the cable locat~d within the electrical junction box from the
terminals of the electrical junction box.
Conduit connectors, electrical cable, pipe or hose, clamps and pressure
fittings for tube joints capable of securing them in place3 are old in the art.
~or example, Canadian P~:tent No. 470,006 relates to a tube connector for providing
a Pluid-tight connection for tubing. The clevice shown therein shows a pipe fitting,
10 surrounded by a nut having internal threads which mesh with external threads of
the pipe fitting. A compressible washer, surrounding an anchorage ring, when
placed under compressive forces created by threading the nut about the pipe
fitting, clamps the pipe or tube passing through the device. The compressible
rubber mass, subjeeted to compressive pressure, clamps the anchorage ring tightly
around the outer surface of the tube such that the lip of a split ring washer will
dig into the surface of the tube and hold it in place.
The electrieal cable connector embodying the present invention, as
will be more fully described hereinafter, comprises a receiver element which
provides a soeket or seating surface for a gripping element. The gripping element
20 has a pair of opposed star locking washers and may have more than one. The
star locking washers are positioned such that their annular flanges are spaced
from one another, the teeth of the star locking washers touching one another.
In the preferred form of the present invention, the star locking washers are
embedded in a washer made from rubber or other deformable material. Serving
to compress the gripping element against the floor of the receiving soeket is a
force transmitting ring, which bears upon either the annular flange of one of the
star locking washers or, alternatively, in the preferred embodiment, against the
flat face of the washer. The force transmitting ring serves to translate the
torque force, generated by threading a nut onto the receiver element, into a
30 compressive force acting upon the gripping element.
Thus, the gripping element is firrnly seated in a receiving socket and
compressed between the floor of the receiving socket and a force transmitting
ring. This provides an efficient connector which firmly secures and maintains in
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relative position an elongated member or electrical cable passing through the
device. As mentioned, the force transmitting ring bears upon the gripping element.
It is pushed toward the floor of the receiving socket, compressing the gripping
element therebetween, by the action of the knurled nut which is screwed upon
the receiver element. The force transmitting ring is pushed toward and against
the gripping element by an abutment surface which is located within the interiorof the knurled nut~ In this manner, the torque applied to the knurled nut is
translated into a compressive force acting on the force transmitting ring which
serves to compress the gripping element between it and the floor of the cavity.
Thus, the teeth of the star locking washers will bear against and securely hold
the outside sur-face of the electrical cable or other member passing through -the
device.
In the preferred embodiment, as mentioned, the star locking washers
are embedded in a deformable washer. Compression of the washer, by the same
mec-h~ni~m~ serves to not only force the teeth of the star locking washer against
the outside surface of the cable but, also, in addition, deforms the washer by
compressing it so that it, too, grips around the member sought to be secured
and seals the inner cavity of the body and also of the surface of the secured
member. This provides a fluid tigm efficient clamp.
For a more complete understanding of the above and other features
and advantages of the invention, reference should be made to the following
detailed description of a preferred embodiment and to the accompanying drawings.Fig. 1 is an exploded, cross sectional view of an electrical universal
connector of the present invention.
Fig. ~ is a cross sectional view of the assembled electrical cable
clamp.
Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view, taken along lines 3-3 of Fig. 2.
Fig. 4A is a top plan view of ~he star washer gripping element; and
Fig. 4B is a side view of the star washer gripping element.
3U As best seen in the drawings, an electrical cable clamp, generally
indicated as 10, is comprised of a receiver element 12, a gripping element 14,
a force transmitting ring 16 and a knurled nut 18. The preferred embodiment
is primarily intended to be used in the positive securing o~ electrical cables.
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The clamp of the present invention, however~ can a]so be used for securing
cylindrical pipes or hose. In use, in the preferred embodiment, receiver element
12 is secured through a wall (not shown) of an electrical junction box and is
intended, in conjunction with the other elements of the present invention, to
positively and firmly secure an electrical wire~carrying member passing through
the electrical cable clamp 10 and into the electrical junction box.
Receiver element 12 is generally cylindrical and has a central bore
20 passing completely theret~ough. Central bore 20 is divided into three
cylindrical bore sections 22, 24 and 26 which have progressively increasing
10 diameters. Cylindrical bore section 22 terminates in rear opening 28 and is
defined by cylindrical wall 30. ~ylindrical bore section 24 is defined by cylindrical
wall 32 and cylindrical bore æction 26 is defined by cylindrical wall 34. Cylindrical
bore section 26 terminates in front opening 36. It should be clearly understood
that cylindrical bore section 22 is in fluid communication with cylindrical bore
section 24 while cylindrical bore section 24 is in fluid communication with
cylindrical bore section 26.
Cylindrical bore section 22 is provided with exterior screw threads 38.
The exterior screw threads 38 terminate an annular flat surface 40 which surrounds
the exterior screw threads 38. Thus, a shoulder 42 is defined which, when
20 the exterior screw threads 38 OI electrical clamp 10 pass through the wall of an
electrical junction box, provide a stop surface for positioning the connector on
the electrical junction box. A nut (not shown) having internal screw threads
which matingly engage exterior screw threads 38 is tightened onto exterior screw
threads 389 on the inside of the electrical junetion box, to firmly secure the
receiver element 12 in place with the shoulder 42 of the receiver element 12
abutting against the side wall of the electrical junction box.
Cylindrical outside wall 44 surrounds cylindrical bore section 24 and
is adjacent to annular flat surface 40. Cylindrical outsicle wall 44 terminates at
annular flat surface 46. E~cterior screw threads 48 surround cylindrical bore
30 section 26 and a portion of cylindrical bore section 240 Cylindrical wall 34 and
floor 66 of cylindrical bore section 26 define receivin~ socket 50 which is adapted
to provide a well-defined seating area for gripping element 14.
Gripping element 14 comprises a pair of opposed star locking washers
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52. Star locking washers 52 may be made from spring steel or any other
tension-like suitable, bendable material such as plastic and can be selected to
have any desired thickness. In the preferred embodiment, gripping element 14
is constructed so that the star locking washers 52 are molded mto a compressiblesubstance, as for example, neophrene or rubber in the form of a deformable
washer 54. Pursuant -to the invention, the washer 54 is of a right cylindrical
configuration whereby several washers 54 each including star locking washers 52
may be stacked or ganged in an end-to-end relationship within the receiving
socket 50 to enhance the gripping action of the connector. Of course, any other
iû suitable material may be utilized to encase the locking washers 52. Each star
locking washer 52 has an annular flange 56 extending around the circumference
of the star locking washer 52, and a plurality of radially inwardly~irected teeth
58, separated ~rom one another by spaces, 60. The inside edge of a teeth 58
define an annular lip 62 surrounding central bore 64. The opposed star locking
washer 48 are embedded in the defor~able washer 54 in such a manner that the
annular flanges 56 are spaced from one another by the deformable material~ yet
the annular lip 62 of the star locking washers abut one anotherO
Washer 54 is of a thickness and diameter which enables it to be
received and maintained within the receiving socket 50 of receiver element 12.
In an alternate form of the present invention, the star locking washers 52 are
merely placed, with their annular lips 62 abutting one another, into the receiving
soeket 50, such that the annular flange 56 of one of the star locking washers 52is maintained flush against the floor 66 of receiving socket 50. In this latter
embodiment, washer 54 is eliminated. The central bores B4 of the star locking
washers 52 are in alignment with the larger bore 68 of the washer 54. The
central bore 64 of the star locking washers 52 have diameters slightly greater
than the diameter of the conduit sought to be secured. It will be appreciated
that the gripping element 14, having the opposed star locking washers 52 made
of tension-like material, will, if subjected to a compressive force about the
annular flanges 56 causes the teeth 58 of the star locking washers 52 to close
inwardly, decreasing central bore 64, to tightly grip the electrical cable or other
conduit passing through the central bore 54. When the gripping element 14 is
subjected to such a compressive force, the annular flanges 55 of star locking
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washers 52 are moved toward one another and the compressive force is transmittedto the relatively movable teeth 58 of the star locking washers 52, thereby causing
the central bore 64 to decrease in diameter. In this manner, the gripping element
14 will tightly grip and secure the electrical member or, alternatively, a hose
or pipe which i9 inserted throu~h the central bore 6~.
Force transmitting ring 16 is, in the preferred embodiment, a flat
faced steel washer, with a round body section 72 having an outside diameter
substantially equal to the outside diameter of the gripping element 14. In the
preferred embodiment, the diameter of the force transmitting ring is substantially
the same as the outside diameter of the washer 54. At a minimum, however,
the flat side or end face 7~ of the force transmitting ring covers the annular
flange 56 of the star locking washers 52. The force transmitting ring 16 is
provided with a central bore 70, which is of a diameter substantially the same
as the bore 6g of star locking washers 52 when the gripping element 14 is in itsuncompressed state. Additionally, force transmitting ring 16 has an outside
diameter slightly less than the diameter of cylindrical bore section 26, so thatthe force transmitting ring 16 can be received within ~ylindrical bore section 26.
Force transmitting ring 16 is provided with end face or flat side ~4 which bearsagainst the annular flanges 56 of star locking washers 52 or, in the preferred
embodiment, against the flat face 76 of rubber vvasher 54. Force transmitting
ring 16 is also provided with an end face or flat side 78.
Knurled nut 18 is generally cylindricaI having an exterior knurled face
in order to facilitate the rotation of the nut in either a clockwise or a counter-
clockwise direction. Knurled nut 18 is provided with interior screw threads 80
which are adapted to matingly engage the ex terior screw threads 48 of the
receiver element 12. Knurled nut 18 is genera~ly hollow and has a central
aperture 82 defined in the end face 84. On the inside of knurled nut 18 is an
annular flat abutment surface 86, which is adapted to receive the end face or
flat side 78 of force transmitting ring 16.
In order to prepare the electrical cable clamp 10 for use, receiver
element 12 is secured to the wall of an electrical junction box by passing
cylindrical bore section 22, v7ith its exterior sc~ew threads 38 through the wall
of the electrical junction box. The receiver element 12 is secured in position
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by threading a nut, having interior screw threads which matingly engage with the
exterior screw threads 38, the nut being located inside of the electrical junction
box. Shoulder 42 will abut against the outside wall of the electrical junction
box. Gripping element 14 is then placed into the receiving socket 50 such that
the annular flange 56 of one of the star locking washers 52 is flush against floor
66 or, if the washer 54 is used, the face 8~ is placed elush against iloor fi6.
Force transmitting ring 16 is then dropped into the cavity of the knurled nut 18
defined by the interior screw threads 80 and abutment surface 86, such that the
Ilat side 78 of the force transmitting ring 16 is flush against the abutment surface
10 88 of the knurled nut 18. The knurled nut 18, with the force transmitting ring
16 contained therein, is then threaded onto the receiver element 12, already
retaining gripping element 14. The knurled nut 18 is only turned a few turns to
hold it in place but is not, at this point, tightened down. In this manner, the
connector 10 is ready to be used.
When it is clesired to firmly and securely hold an electrical cable in
the clamp 10 such that the member passes from outside the electrical junction
box, through the clamp 10 and into the inside of the electrical junction box, the
electrical member is first passed through the central bore 20 of the clamp lq.
This is accomplished by having one end of the electrical member pass through
the central aperture 82 of the knurled nut 18, through the central bore 70 of
the force transmitting ring 16 7 through the bore 68 of the deformable washer
54, if it is used, through the central bore 64 of the star locking washers 52 and
through the cylindrical bore sections 26, 24 and 22 and into the interior of the
electrical junction box.
With the electrical conduit in position, the knurled nut 18 already in
position on receiver element 12 is tightened onto the receiver element 12. During
tightening, the abutment surface 86 bears upon the enel face 78 of force
transmitting ring 16, which pushes end face 74 of force transmitting ring 16
against face 76 of the washer 54, if it is used, or against annular flange 56 of
a star locking washer 52. The gripping element 14 is thus eompressed between
the force transmitting ring 16 and the floor 66 of receiving socket 50 of the
receiver element 12. With the gripping element 14 subject to this compression,
the annular flanges 56 of star locking washers 52 are compressed toward one
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ther, which causes the teeth 58, radially projecting inwardly, to be bend
inwardly into the electrical member. Movement of the teeth 58 is such that the
diameter of the central bore 64 of the star locking washers 52 decreases. In
this manner, the electrical cable is firmly and securely held in place, relatively
immobile, because the teeth 58 of the star locking washer 52 are thrust into the
electrical cable. As previously mentioned, compression on ~e gripping element
14 is accomplished by the force transmitting ring 16, torqued by knurled nut 18,
which serves to compress the gripping element 14.
~ripping element 14 is compressed between floor 66 of the receiving
10 socket 50 of receiver element 12 and force transmitting ring 1~. The foree
transmitting ring 16 is pushed against the fact 76 of the gripping element 14 by
the action of abutment surface û6 of the knurled nut 18 on force transmitting
ring 160 If the deformable washer 54 is used, then compressive forces acting on
it will not only cause the star locking washers to grip the member but the
deformable material of the washer will displace around the member substantially
facilitating the gripping action of the gripping element. Of course, multiple
stacked washers 54 may be used to further enhance the gripping action of the
connector. Thus, the conduit is firmly secured in place either by the locking
washers 52 acting along or with the aid Oe the washer. The washer 5~ will also
20 act as a seal to form a fluid-tight clamp around the c~le. ~arying the width
facilitates the torque applied to the gripping element.
It should be understood that the above-described embodiment of the
invention is meant to be an illustration of the invention. Those skilled in the
art may make changes in the described embodiment such as to utilize the invention
as a clamp, connector, union or terminal for a cable, pipe, hose or any other
elongated member without departing from the teachings of the invention.
Accordingly, reference should be made to the following appended claims in
determining the scope of the invention.
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