Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02639551 2008-09-17
,N
:
ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY WITH FRUSTRO-
CONICAL SNAP FIT RETAINING RING AND HAVING DUPLEX
UNIDIRECTIONAL CABLE RETAINERS OR A CLAMPING STRAP
FOR EITHER NONMETALIC OR METAL CLAD CABLES
Field of the Invention
This invention is directed to a further advancement in
the field of electrical connector assemblies having a snap
fit retaining ring circumscribing the outlet end of a
connector body for effecting a snap fit connection to an
electrical box of the types described in U.S. Patent
6,860,758, U.S. Patent 6,935,891. More specifically, this
application is directed to further improvements in duplex
type electrical connector assemblies. In another
embodiment, this application is directed to further
improvements in strap type electrical connector assemblies
having a frustro-conical snap fit retaining ring and an
improved hinged strap for securing either a nonmetallic
cable or an armored, metal cable thereto.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Electrical connectors are commonly used for attaching
electrical conductors, cables, wires, electrical metal
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tubing (EMT) or the like to an electric box, e.g. a
junction box, outlet box, switch box, fuse box, or other
similar type of electric box or panel.
Such known
electrical connectors are either of a type that are secured
to an electric box by a threaded lock nut or by means of a
conventional circular snap fit retaining ring of the type
disclosed in U.S. Patents 6,860,758; 6,444,907; 5,189,258;
5,266,050; 5,171,164; 2,744,769 and 1,483,218 for example.
Reference is also made to U.S. Patent 6,768,057 which is
directed to a right angle type connector formed of a pair
of sheet metal stampings fitted together and secured to an
electrical box with a snap fit arrangement.
Also known are connectors formed as connector caps
which are adapted to be fitted over the end of a conductor,
cable or wires, such as disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,880,387.
Various other known efforts to facilitate the connection of
an electrical conductor to an electric box are evidenced by
U.S. Patents 6,043,432; 6,080,933; 6,114,630; 6,133,529;
6,194,661; 6,335,488; 6,352,439; 6,355,884;
6,444,907;
6,555,750; 6,604,400; 6,670,553; 6,737,584;
6,682,355;
6,780,029 and 6,849,803.
Notwithstanding the extensive background relating to
electrical connectors, continuing efforts are being made to
improve, simplify and/or reduce the cost and/or complexity
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r
,
of the known connectors in an effort to advance the
electrical connector art.
This disclosure is directed to
such efforts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of this invention is to provide a duplex
type electrical connector assembly having an integral or
unitary connector body provided with an outer frustro-
conical retainer and an internal unidirectional cable
retainer.
An object of this invention is to provide an
electrical connector with a frustro-conically shaped
external retaining ring having a leading edge and a
trailing edge and integrally formed outwardly sprung
locking tangs that can be readily connected to a knock-hole
of an electric box, panel or enclosure with a snap-fit
wherein the trailing edge functions as the electrical
ground between the electrical box and the connector
assembly.
Another object of this invention is to provide for an
electrical connector assembly that includes an electrical
connector body having an outlet end with a frustro-conical
outer surface for receiving thereon a complementary
frustro-conical retaining ring that is readily fitted to
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g.
and retained on the outlet end portion of the connector
body.
Another object is to provide a connector assembly
comprising a connector body having an outlet end free of
any locking ring retaining flange and an associated
externally circumscribing snap fit retainer circumscribing
the flangeless outlet end in a secured manner.
Another object is to provide a retaining ring, adapted
to be fitted onto the outlet end of an integrally formed
duplex connector body whereby the retainer ring is frustro-
conical in shape having a first series of tangs for
securing the connector body to an electrical box and a
trailing edge or tang for affecting a positive electrical
ground with an associated electrical box.
Another object is to provide an electrical connector
assembly having a connector body with a frustro-conical
outer retainer ring circumscribing the outer surface of the
connector body outlet end and having a conductor retainer
in the form of a saddle connected to the connector body
with a cable retaining strap hingedly connected to one end
of the saddle for securing either a nonmetallic or armor
metal clad cable thereto.
Another object of this invention is to provide a strap
type electrical connector having a cable retainer in the
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t,
form of a saddle for supporting a conductor, wire, or cable
thereon and a readily detachable strap hingedly connected
to one end of the saddle in a manner that prohibits
unintentional detachment of the strap from the saddle.
Another object is to provide a strap type electrical
connector assembly that is relatively simple to fabricate,
positive in operation, and economical to produce and sell.
Another object of this invention is to provide a
simplified duplex connector assembly having a connector
body integrally formed consisting of a suitable metallic
alloy defining at least a pair of parallel passageways
arranged to receive and retain therein a unidirectional
cable retainer in a predetermined oriented position, and
having an outer frustro-conical retainer for snap fitting
the duplex connector to an electric box or panel.
Another object is to provide a duplex type electrical
connector assembly that is relatively simple to fabricate,
positive in operation, and economical to produce and sell.
In one embodiment, the foregoing objects and other
features and advantages are attained by an electrical
connector assembly that includes a connector body having an
outlet end adapted to be secured to a knock-out hole of an
electric box or panel, and an inlet end.
A generally U-
shaped saddle is connected to the inlet end of the
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.,
,
connector body for supporting thereon an electric cable, or
wire conductor.
A radially outwardly extending flange
circumscribes the outlet end of the connector body to
function as a stop to limit the insertion of the outlet end
portion of the connector body through the knockout hole of
an electric box or panel.
The outlet end portion of the
connector body is provided with an outer surface that
converges or tapers inwardly toward the outlet opening
thereof.
Formed on the surface of the outlet end portion
are one or more retaining lugs, which may be
circumferentially spaced about the outlet end portion.
A
frustro-conically shaped, snap-fit retainer is fitted onto
the outlet end portion of the connector body.
In another embodiment, the foregoing objects and other
features and advantages are attained by an electrical
duplex connector assembly that includes an integrally
formed connector body having a single outlet end adapted to
be secured to a knock-out hole of an electric box or panel,
and having at least a pair of passageways defining an inlet
end.
A radially outwardly extending flange circumscribes
the outlet end of the integral connector body to function
as a stop to limit the insertion of the outlet end portion
of the integral connector body through the knockout hole of
an electric box or panel.
The outlet end portion of the
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4,
connector body is provided with an outer surface that
converges or tapers inwardly toward the outlet opening
thereof.
Formed on the surface of the outlet end portion
are one or more retaining lugs, which may be
circumferentially spaced about the outlet end portion.
A
frustro-conically shaped, snap-fit retainer is fitted onto
the outlet end portion of the connector body.
The frustro-conical retainer is formed from a blank of
sheet material, e.g. spring steel or the like, having a
cruciform shape that includes a face portion or simply a
central opening wherein the radiating arms of the cruciform
blank are disposed about the face portion or central
opening to define a frustro-conical ring or cup shape. The
retainer ring or cup so formed is provided with blanked out
or die cut tangs to define outwardly bent locking tangs.
The trailing edge of the frustro-conical ring or cup
provides for electrical grounding in the assembly of the
electrical connector to an electric box or panel.
The frustro-conical ring so formed also has a slot
adapted to receive a retaining lug when the retaining ring
is fitted onto the outlet end of the connector body so that
the free or trailing edges of the ring or cup define a
grounding edge or tang that engages the inner periphery of
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µ
the knockout hole of an electric box or panel for effecting
positive electrical continuity and grounding.
To form the retaining ring, the cruciform arms are
arranged to be folded relative to the central opening or
face forming portion that circumscribes the central
opening, to define a unitary frustro-conically shaped cup-
like member or ring to compliment or be fitted onto the
outlet end portion of the connector body.
The retaining
ring thus formed is fitted over or onto the outlet end
portion of the connector body whereby the retaining slot
formed in the ring is adapted to receive the complementary
retaining lug formed on the surface of the outlet end
portion for retaining or securing the ring on the outlet
end portion of the connector body.
With the construction described, the connector
assembly can be readily inserted through the knockout hole
of an electric box wherein the locking tangs will initially
be flexed inwardly to pass through the knock-out hole of an
electric box, and then spring outwardly to lock the
connector assembly to the electric box or electric support
panel with the trailing or grounding edge or tang of the
retaining ring being inherently biased so as to be urged
against the internal periphery of the knockout hole due to
the frustro-conical configuration of the retaining ring to
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effect a positive electric ground as a result of the
inherent resiliency of the respective grounding edge or
tangs and the material from which they are formed.
In one embodiment, this invention further contemplates
providing the inlet end of the connector with a saddle
having opposed ends for supporting a wire or cable thereon.
Hingedly connected to one end of the saddle is a retaining
strap arranged to overlie the wire or cable seated or
supported in the saddle. The
retaining strap is hingedly
connected at the end of the saddle so as to render the
strap readily detachable from the saddle in a manner that
will prohibit any unintentional detachment of the strap
therefrom. The other end of the strap is provided with an
opening for receiving a fastener for securing the strap to
the other end of the saddle to securely clamp the cable or
conductor therebetween.
In another embodiement, this invention further
contemplates providing the inlet end of the connector with
a unidirectional cable or conductor retainer disposed
within each of the inlet passageways in a predetermined
oriented relationship therein.
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,
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the
electrical connector assembly.
Fig. 2 is a plan view of the blank from which the
outer retaining ring of the present invention is formed.
Fig. 3 is a detail front view of the outer retainer
ring.
Fig. 4 is a detail top plan view of the outer retainer
ring of Fig. 3.
Fig. 5 is a detail view of Fig. 4 rotated 900.
Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the outer retainer ring
taken along line 6-6 on Fig. 3.
Fig. 7 is a side view of the connector assembly
illustrating the alignment thereof relative to the knockout
opening of an electric box.
Fig. 8 is a section side view illustrating the
connector assembly secured to an electric box, taken along
line 8-8 on Fig. 10.
Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 on
Fig. 10 and rotated 90 .
Fig. 10 is a fragmentary front view of the connector
assembly secured to an electric box as viewed from the
electrical box.
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.=
,
Fig. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a modified
form of the invention.
Fig. 12 is a sectional side view of the modified form
of the invention of Fig. 11.
Fig. 13 is a top plan view of the blank from which the
internal wire conductor retainer is formed.
Fig. 14 is a fragmentary top view of a portion of the
blank forming the inner retainer sleeve or ring.
Fig. 15 is an end view of the inner wire conductor
retainer ring or sleeve.
Fig. 16 is a top view of the inner retainer ring or
sleeve of Fig. 15.
Fig. 17 is a section view taken along 17-17 on Fig.
16.
Fig. 18 is a side view of the inner retainer ring or
sleeve.
Fig. 19 is a sectional side view of still another
embodiment.
Fig. 20 is a perspective view of a further embodiment
of the invention.
Fig. 21 is an exploded perspective view of the
embodiment of Fig. 20.
Fig. 22 is a top plan view of the embodiment of Fig.
20 having parts thereof broken away.
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,
Fig. 23 is a sectional view taken along line 23-23 on
Fig. 22.
Fig. 24 is the interior plan view of one section of
the connector housing of the embodiment illustrated in Fig.
20.
Fig. 25 is an outer end view of Fig. 24.
Fig. 26 is an end view of the connector housing
section of Fig. 24.
Fig. 27 is a sectional view of the housing section
taken along line 27-27 on Fig. 26.
Fig. 28 is an inside plan view of the complementary
housing section of the embodiment illustrated by Fig. 20.
Fig. 29 is an end view of Fig. 28.
Fig. 30 is an inlet end view of Fig. 28.
Fig. 31 is a sectional view taken on line 31-31 on
Fig. 30.
Fig. 32 is a sectional view taken on line 32-32 on
Fig. 28.
Fig. 33 is an exploded perspective view of still
another modification of the invention.
Fig. 34 is a top plan view of the embodiment of Fig.
33.
Fig. 35 is a right end view of Fig. 34.
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,
'
Fig. 36 is a sectional view taken along line 36-36 on
Fig. 35.
Fig. 37 is a perspective of a partially exploded view
of another embodiment of the disclosed invention.
Fig. 38 is a perspective view of another modified form
of the disclosed invention illustrated without the outer
retainer ring.
Fig. 39 is a perspective exploded view of a modified
form of the invention.
Fig. 40 is an exploded perspective view of another
embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 41 is a partial sectional side view of the
embodiment of Fig. 40 having parts shown in section.
Fig. 42 is a side sectional view of the embodiment of
Fig. 41 showing the connector assembly attached to a
knockout hole of an electric box or panel.
Fig. 43 is a fragmentary side view similar to Fig. 42
rotated 90 to illustrate the locking position of the
locking tangs relative to an electric box or panel.
Fig. 44 is a detail perspective view illustrating the
assembly of hinging the clamping strap to the support
saddle.
Fig. 45 is a perspective view of a modified strap type
electrical connector.
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'.
Fig. 46 is an exploded perspective view of a modified
duplex connector embodying the invention.
Fig. 47 is the front or outlet end view of the duplex
connector body of Fig. 46.
Fig. 48 is the rear or inlet end view of the duplex
connector body of Fig. 46.
Fig. 49 is a top plan view of a duplex connector body
of Fig. 46.
Fig. 50 is a sectional side view of the electrical
duplex connector assembly of Fig. 46 in the assembled
position of the component parts.
Fig. 51 is a sectional view on a reduced scale of the
connector body taken along section line 51-51 on Fig. 46.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to the drawings, there is shown in Fig. 1 an
electrical connector assembly 10.
The connector assembly
includes a connector body 11, which is usually formed as
a metal casting, e.g. zinc or other suitable metallic
alloy. The connector body 11 is formed with an inlet end
portion 11A and an outlet end portion 11B and having a bore
12 extending therethrough. Intermediate the connector body
11 or between the inlet end portion 11A and outlet end
portion 11B there is provided a radially outwardly
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extending flange 13 which functions as a stop to limit the
amount that the connector body 11 may be inserted through
the knockout hole 14 of an electric box or panel 15, as
noted in Fig. 8.
As shown in Figs. 1 and 8, the outer surface S of the
outlet end portion 11B slopes, tapers or converges toward
the outlet opening 16 whereby the outer surface S of the
outlet end portion 11B has a generally frustro-conical
configuration. Formed
on the surface S of the outlet end
portion 11B is an outwardly projecting retainer lug 17. In
the illustrated embodiment, two such lugs 17 are shown
disposed 1800 apart about the outer circumference of the
outlet end portion 11B.
The connector assembly 10 also includes a snap fit
retaining ring 18. In
accordance with this invention, the
retaining ring 18 is integrally formed from a blank 19 of
spring steel material. As best seen in Fig. 2, the blank
19 is initially formed or stamped to define a generally
cruciform shape. The
cruciform shape is provided with a
face portion 20 having central opening or hole 20A and
having four generally radially extending arms defining two
pairs of oppositely disposed arms AA and BB.
As illustrated in Fig. 2, the opposed pair of arms AA
are each provided with a retaining slot 21. The
opposed
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pair of arms BB, as best seen in Figs. 2 and 9, are blanked
or formed to define a locking tang 22 and to either side
thereof the trailing edge of the retaining ring defines an
electrical grounding tang 23, 23. As
shown, the locking
tang 22 is slightly shorter than the adjacent grounding
tangs 23, 23. The arrangement is such that the free end of
the locking tangs 22 are sprung outwardly and formed so as
to engage the inside surface of the electric box 15 in the
assembled portion, as best seen in Fig. 9, to secure the
connector assembly 10 to the electric box 15 and prohibit
any unintentional withdrawal of the connector assembly 10
from the electrical box 15, whereas the free ends or
trailing edges of the frustro-conical ring define the
grounding tangs 23 that are biased in engagement with the
internal periphery of the knockout hole 14. Also, the free
edge or end 24A of arms A,A in the assembled position will
also function as electrical grounding tangs, as noted in
Fig. 8.
In forming the retaining ring 18 from blank 19, the
respective arms A,A and 3,3 are subjected to a series of
progressive bending dies which will gradually bend the
respective arms about a foldline f, which defines the face
or front portion 20, whereby arms A,A and B,B form a cup
having circumscribing frustro-conical or outwardly flaring
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sides to define a frustro conical ring 18 which complements
the conical surface S of the leading or outlet end portion
11B, as seen in Fig. 1. In
doing so, the locking tangs 22
are cantileverly and outwardly bent or displaced relative
to the surface of the frustro-conical ring at a slightly
greater outwardly angle or slope than the adjacent
grounding edge or tangs 23 and the slope of arms A,A. With
the retaining ring 18 so formed, it can be readily fitted
onto the outlet end portion 11B whereby the inherent
resiliency of the arms A,A will cause the retainer slots 22
to snap fit onto the retaining lug 17 when slots 21 are
placed in alignment with lugs 17. The arrangement is such
that the retainer ring 18 will be firmly and positively
secured to the outlet end portion 11B as seen in Fig. 8.
Yet, due to the inherent resiliency of the material of the
retaining ring 18, it can be easily detached from the
outlet end portion 11B when removal is desired, without
destroying the ring 18 by lifting arms A,A free of the
retaining lugs 17.
It will be understood that, if desired, the opening
20A may be enlarged to the diameter of the foldline f, in
which case the arms A,A and B,B may be gradually bent about
the periphery of the enlarged opening, thereby eliminating
the face portion 20.
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,.
,
With the retainer ring 18 properly secured to the
outlet end 11B of the connector body 11, the connector
assembly 10 can be readily secured to an electric box 10 by
simply aligning the assembly 10 with a knockout hole 14, as
best seen in Fig. 7, and inserting the leading or outlet
end portion into the knockout hole 14 until the flange 13
engages the outer side of the electric box 15.
In doing
so, the tangs 22, 23 and the free ends 24 of arms A,A,
respectively, will depress inwardly to permit insertion of
the assembly 10. When the assembly is fully seated in the
knockout hole 14, the locking tangs 22 will normally spring
outwardly to secure the assembly 10 to the electric box 15,
as noted in Fig. 9.
The inherent resiliency of the
grounding tangs 23, 23 and the free end or edge 24A of arms
A,A are normally biased in engagement with the internal
periphery of the knockout hole 14 to ensure a positive
electrical ground with the electric box 15. The engagement
of the free end 24A of arms A,A and grounding tangs 23, 23
against the inner periphery of the knockout hole 14, as
noted in Fig. 8, further ensures the firm securing of the
retaining slot 21 with the retaining lugs 17, so as to
prohibit any disengagement of the outer retaining ring 18
from the connector body 11.
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,
It will be understood that the wire conductor 25 may
be secured to the connector assembly 10 either before or
after the assembly 10 has been secured to the electric box
15.
In the illustrated embodiment, the conductor wire 25
is simply inserted into the inlet end portion 11A and
secured in position by a suitable securing means.
In the
illustrated embodiment of Fig. 1, the securing means is
illustrated as a set screw 26.
However, it will be
understood that other forms of securing means, including
some of the securing wire conductor retaining means
disclosed herein, may be used in lieu of a screw.
From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the
disclosed connector assembly is quite novel and simple in
construction. The snap fit retaining ring 18 can be simply
formed from a cruciform shaped blank 19 of spring metal
whereby the opposed radially extending arms A,A and B,B can
be readily formed into a cup having a generally frustro-
conically shaped sidewalls complementing the slope of the
outlet end portion 11A, and whereby the outer retainer ring
18 can be readily secured to the connector body simply by
the inter-engagement of slots 21 with its complementary
lugs 17.
In the assembled position, the outer retainer ring 18
is positively secured to the connector body in a manner to
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prohibit any unintentional separation. Also the tangs 22
and 23, which are formed integral with ring 18, are shaped
and formed so that the locking tangs 22 secure the assembly
to an electric box 15 while the grounding tangs 23
ensure a positive electrical ground of the assembly 10 with
the associated electric box 15.
Figs. 11 to 19 illustrate various views of a modified
form of the invention which are described in application
S.N. 11/100,250 filed April 6, 2005, now U.S. Patent
7,064,272, for Snap In Electrical Connector Assembly With
Unidirectional Wire Co-ductor Ring.
In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 11, the
connector assembly 30 includes an internal wire retainer 39
in the form of a ring, cylinder or sleeve which is fitted
to the bore 32B of the connector body 31, and which
retainer 39 functions as a unidirectional retainer means
arranged to permit a wire conductor to be readily inserted
and secured thereinto, and which will resist any applied
force imparted to the wire conductor in the opposite
direction to prohibit any unintentional separation of the
wire conductor from the connector body 31. Wire conductor,
as used herein, means any wire, cable, helical wound metal
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covering or sheath (BX) wire, plastic sheath wire conductor
and the like.
Referring to Figs. 13 to 15, the internal retainer 39
is preferably formed from an elongated blank 40 of spring
steel.
The retainer blank 40, as best seen in Fig. 13,
comprises an elongated generally rectangular blank having a
longitudinal leading edge 40A, a trailing edge 40B and
opposed end edges 40C and 40D.
End edge 400 is provided
with a pair of spaced apart notches 41, 41 and a projecting
tongue 42. The other end edge 40D of blank 40 is provided
with a pair of projecting tongues 43, 43 arranged to
complement notches 41, 41 and a complementary notch 44 for
receiving tongue 42 in the formed or rolled position of the
retainer sleeve 39, as shown in Fig. 18.
Blanked, lanced, cut or stamped out of the plane of
blank 40 are one or more tangs 45.
In the form of the
invention as shown in Fig. 13, tangs 45 are formed out of
the plane of the blank.
The respective tangs 45 are
bifurcated to define a pair of finger tangs 45A, 45A
longitudinally spaced along the longitudinal axis of the
blank 40 at a distance, which, when the blank 40 is rolled
to form the retainer sleeve 39, the respective pairs of
finger tangs 45A are oppositely disposed, as best seen in
Fig. 15.
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.,
N
As shown in Figs. 15 and 18, the respective finger
tangs 45A, 45A are inwardly bent from the plane of the
retainer sleeve 39.
In the illustrated embodiment, the
respective finger tangs are provided with a pair of
intermediate transverse fold lines F1 and F2 whereby the free
end of the respective finger tangs is directed toward the
longitudinal axis of the sleeve 39, as shown in Fig. 18.
Referring to Fig. 15, it will be noted that the cable
retainer sleeve is or may be provided with a flattened
portion 46 on one side thereof.
The connector body of Figs. 11 and 12 may be formed
with an internal complementary flat surface along a portion
of the inner circumference thereof.
The arrangement is
such that the retainer sleeve 39, when inserted into the
inlet end 31B of the connector body, is oriented so that
the flattened surface 46 of the sleeve 39 complements the
internal flattened surface 47 of the connector body.
The
orientation is such that the opposed finger tangs 45A are
oppositely disposed to firmly grip a wire conductor
therebetween, e.g. an armored conductor or other covered
conductor, as shown in Fig. 12.
The outer circumference of the inner retainer sleeve
or ring 39 is proportioned so that it can be press fitted
or frictionally fitted into the inlet end 31B of the
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connector body 31 by a force sufficient to firmly secure
the inner retainer ring or sleeve 39 within the inlet end
so as to prohibit any separation of the retainer ring or
sleeve 39 from the inlet end of the connector body. The
complementary flattened surfaces 46 of the internal sleeve
39 and 47 of the inlet end of the connector body insures
proper orientation of the internal sleeve 39 within the
inlet end of the connector body.
Fig. 14 illustrates a fragmentary portion of the blank
40 to show an intermediate step in forming the tang fingers
45A, 45A so that when the formed blank 40 is rolled to form
the internal retaining sleeve, the tang fingers will be
disposed in parallel as seen in Figs. 15 and 16. This
is
attained by fold line F3 which is disposed at an angle, as
noted in Fig. 14, so that when the blank is rolled to form
the internal retaining sleeve 39, the tang fingers 45A, 45A
will be disposed in parallel. The
free ends 45B of the
respective fingers 45A are angularly offset to engage the
grooves of an armored conductor, as noted in Fig. 12 or
other covering sheath of a wire conductor that will resist
a force attempting to effect separation of the conductor
from the connector assembly. The respective free ends 45B
may also be laterally offset so that an armored conductor
may be threadedly connected to the internal sleeve 39, as
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well as by simply inserting the armored covered conductor
into the retainer sleeve to effect a snap fit connection.
Figs. 20 to 32 are directed to a further modification
of the disclosed invention. As best seen in Figs. 20 and
21, the connector assembly 60 includes a housing or
connector body 61 having an outlet end 61A and an inlet end
64 connected to the outlet end 61A by a transition section
68, 68A, preferably formed as =casting of any suitable metal
or alloy material, e.g. zinc, aluminum and the like. While
the inlet end 64 of the connector body 61 is illustrated as
a duplex inlet end, it will be understood that the inlet
end may be formed to accommodate more than two separate
wire conductors, cables or the like.
The outlet end 61A and the external frustro-conical
ring 76 circumscribing the outlet end 61A are similar in
structure hereinbefore described with respect to Figs. 1 to
10. A more detailed
description of the embodiments
disclosed in Figs. 20 to 32 is set forth in application
S.N. 11/100,250 filed April 6, 2005 for Snap In Electrical
Connector Assembly With Unidirectional Wire Conductor
Retaining Ring, now U.S. Patent 7,064,272.
With the connector body of Fig. 20 illustrated, it
will be noted that the connector assembly 60 can be readily
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secured to an electric box or panel simply by inserting the
leading or outlet end 61A through a knockout hole of a
panel or electrical box so as to be readily secured thereto
with a snap fit as hereinbefore described. With the
arrangement described, the respective wire conductors or
cables 80 can be readily attached to the trailing or inlet
end of the connector assembly 60 with a simple snap fit, as
described in the said application S.N. 11/100,250 filed
April 6, 2005, now U.S. Patent 7,064,272.
From the foregoing, it will be noted that the
connector assemblies disclosed in Figs. 1 to 32 utilize a
frustro conically shaped outer retainer ring which is
uniquely secured to the leading end of a connector body,
with securing tangs and grounding tangs arranged to effect
both a positive securement of the connector assembly to a
knockout hole of an electric box or panel and a positive
electrical ground. In association with an external frustro
conical retaining ring, the disclosed embodiments include a
trailing or inlet end constructed to receive an associated
wire or conductor retainer in each inlet end for securing a
wire conductor thereto by a snap fit in the inlet end of
the connector body. It will be
understood that the
described electrical connector bodies may include one or
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more wire or conductor cable receiving chambers formed in
the inlet end thereof, depending upon the number of wire
conductors one may wish to connect to the inlet end of a
connector body.
Figs. 33 to 36 illustrate a further embodiment of the
invention. The connector
assembly 300, as illustrated in
Figs. 33 and 36, includes a connector body 301 formed as a
unitary casting of any suitable metal or alloy, e.g. zinc
and the like. The embodiment of Fig. 33 differs from that
of Fig. 20 in that connector body 301 is formed as a
unitary casting rather than as separable parts as
illustrated in Fig. 20. A more detailed description of the
embodiment of the connector assembly of Figs. 33 to 36 is
set forth in application S.N. 11/403,099 filed April 12,
2006, for Snap Fit Electrical Connector Assembly With
Frustro-Conical Retainer Ring And Internal Unidirectional
Snap Fit Wire Conductor Retainer, now U.S. Patent
7,151,223.
Figs. 37, 38 and 39 illustrate further modified
embodiments of the invention which are disclosed in the co-
pending application Serial No. 11/501,131 filed August 8,
2006 for Electrical Connector With Outer Retainer Ring And
Unidirectional Conductor Retainer.
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Figs. 40 to 49 are directed to other modified
embodiments of the invention. Figs. 40 to 49 are directed
to a strap-type electrical connector 500 for securing
either nonmetallic cables or armor or metal clad cables
thereto, as will be described herein.
As best seen in Figs. 40-49, the illustrated strap
type connector 500 includes a connector body 501 having an
outlet end 502 terminating in an outlet opening 503.
Opposite the outlet opening 503, the connector body 501 is
provided with an inlet opening 504. Circumscribing
the
connector body between the outlet opening 503 and the inlet
opening 504 is a radially outwardly extending flange 505
which serves as a stop to limit the distance the outlet end
portion of the connector body 501 may be inserted through a
knockout hole or opening 506 of an electric box or panel
507. The outer surface "S" of the outlet end 502 slopes or
converges inwardly toward the outlet opening 503.
Circumferentially spaced about the outlet end 502 of
the connector body 501 are one or more radially outwardly
projecting retaining lugs 508. In the
illustrated
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embodiment, two such retaining lugs 508 are provided 180
apart.
Secured to the outlet end 502 of the connector body
and circumscribing the outlet end 502 is a frustro-conical
snap fit retainer or retainer ring 509, similar to the
frustro-conical retainer ring hereinbefore described with
respect to Figs. 1 to 5 herein. As best seen in Fig. 84,
the frustro-conical, snap-fit, retainer 509 includes a
front opening 510 circumscribed by rearwardly and outwardly
sloping locking tangs 511 and grounding tangs 512 and 513.
Grounding tangs 513 are provided with retaining slots 514
arranged to receive the retaining lugs 508 when fitted onto
the outlet end 502 of the connector body 501, as
hereinbefore described.
Connected to the connector body 501 adjacent the inlet
opening and forming an integral part of the connector body
501 is a cable support saddle 515 which extends about a
circumferential portion of the inlet opening 504, e.g.
between approximately 120 to 180 about the inlet opening
504. As shown, the cable support saddle 515 is a
curvilinear extension of the inlet opening 504 terminating
in laterally outwardly extending ears or lobes 515A and
515B. As best
seen in Fig. 40, ear or lobe 515A has a
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hinge slot 516 formed therein and ear or lobe 515B is
provided with an internally threaded hole 517.
Hingedly connected to ear or lobe 515A is a clamping
strap 518. As best seen in Fig. 40, the clamping strap 518
is provided with a readily detachable hinge structure 519
which is angularly formed relative to the plane of the
strap 518 so as to be received in the hinge slot 517 when
connected to the saddle 515. According to this invention,
the hinge structure 519 terminates laterally outwardly
extending foot portion 520.
In accordance with this invention, the foot portion
520 of the hinge structure 519 is provided with a width "W"
which is slightly greater than the width "w" of the hinge
slot 516. The arrangement is such that the clamping strap
518 must be skewed or angled relative to the hinge slot 516
for inserting the foot portion 520 through the hinge slot
516 for connecting the clamping strap 518 to the ear or
lobe 515A. When so connected, the clamping strap 518 is
free to pivot relative to the saddle 515 between a cable
clamping and unclamping position without causing the
clamping strap 518 to become detached from the saddle 515.
To effect detachment of the clamping strap 518 from the ear
or lobe 515A, one must intentionally skew or angle the
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CD. 02639551 2008-09-17
clamping strap 518 relative to the hinge slot 516 to effect
the removal of the clamping strap 518 from the saddle.
The other end of the clamping strap 518 is provided
with a strap hole 521 for receiving a fastener, e.g. a
screw 522 for securing the clamping strap 518 to the ear or
lobe 5153 so that the cable is firmly clamped and secured
between the saddle 515 and the clamping strap 518.
To insure a positive gripping of the cable between the
saddle 515 and the clamping strap 518, an intermediate
portion of the clamping strap is provided with a depression
523 that will "bite" or exert a positive frictional force
on the cable, when secured in the clamping position (Fig.
86) so as to prohibit the cable of being pulled free or
become accidentally detached from the connector body.
As shown, the connector body 501 and connected saddle
515 is preferably formed as a metal casting, e.g. zinc or
other suitable metallic alloy. The
strap electric
connector as illustrated in Figs. 40 to 44 is preferably
used for securing either a non-metallic cable or romex
type conductor to an electric box or panel.
By slightly modifying the shape of the clamping strap,
the described strap type electric connector may be readily
adapted for connecting an armored, or metal clad cable, to
an electric box or panel.
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..
Fig. 45 illustrates a modified strap type electrical
connector assembly 600 for use in securing an armor or
metal clad cable.
As shown in Fig. 45, the strap type
electrical connector assembly 600 is provided with clamping
strap 618 having an intermediate curvilinear portion 618A
shaped to compliment the roundness of a metal clad cable,
e.g. a BX cable.
One end of the armored cable strap is
provided with a hinge structure 619, 620 similar to the
hinge structure 519, 520 hereinbefore described, whereby
the armored cable strap can be hingedly connected to the
hinge slot 616 of the associated saddle 615. The other end
of the armored cable strap 618 is provided with a hole or
opening 621 for receiving a fastening screw similar to that
described with respect to Fig. 84. In all other respects,
the function and structure of the strap connector 600 is
similar to that described with respect to Figs. 84 to 88,
and need not be repeated.
From the foregoing description, it will be noted that
the armored cable strap 618 can be readily interchanged for
the non-metallic cable strap 518 depending upon the type of
cable to be secured by the described connector body.
It will be apparent that the principle components
described herein, viz, the external frustro-conical
retainer rings, the connector bodies and the differently
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,.
described wire conductor retainers, are rendered readily
interchangeable with respect to any of the complementary
corresponding components of the various embodiments
described herein.
It is to be further noted that the frustro-conical
retainer ring, as described herein with respect to the
various embodiments disclosed, achieves the further
advantage of ensuring positive electrical grounding of the
described connector assemblies to an electrical box or
panel despite the varying allowable diameter tolerances a
knockout hole may have, as permitted by the allowable codes
or electrical standards, due to the inherent resiliency and
shape that a frustro-conical configuration allows, as
described herein.
Referring to Figs. 46 to 51, there is disclosed a
further improvement of the invention describe herein. Fig.
46 illustrates an exploded view of a duplex type connector
assembly 650 that includes a connector body 651 having a
single outlet end portion 651A and a duplex inlet end
portion 6516.
As shown, the inlet end portion 651B
includes a pair of parallel passageways or bores 652, 653
that are in communication with the outlet end portion 651A.
Between the inlet end portion 651 and the outlet end
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portion 651A is a transition section 6510, which diverges
toward the outlet end opening 354. The
respective
passageways or bore are separated by a partition wall 655
having opposed vertical surfaces 655A, 655B, as viewed in
Figs. 46-48.
As hereinbefore described, the outlet end portion 651A
which defines an outlet opening 654 is provided with a
tapered outer surface S which converges toward the outlet
opening 654.
Circumferentially spaced about the outlet
opening and extending radially outward relative to the
surface S of the outlet end portion 651A are opposed
retaining lugs 656. A
radially outwardly extending stop
flange 657 circumscribes the outlet end portion 651A
adjacent to the transition section 651C, which functions as
a stop to limit the amount the connector body may be
inserted into a knockout hole of an electric box or panel,
as herein previously described. In
this form of the
invention, the connector body 651 is constructed so that it
can be readily formed as a unitary casting from a suitable
moldable metal alloy, e.g. zinc, aluminum and the like.
Such integrally constructed connector body obviates the
prior practice of constructing a connector body of multiple
parts which required assembly.
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CD. 02639551 2008-09-17
Circumscribing the outer surface S of the outlet end
portion 651A is a frustro-conical outer retainer 658
similar to that described with respect to Figs. 1 to 10,
and which need not be repeated.
Disposed within each of the respective passageways or
bore 662, 663 is a wire or cable unidirectional retainer
means. In the
illustrated embodiment, the unidirectional
retainer means is in the form of a sleeve or cylinder 659,
660 formed preferably from a blank of spring steel as
hereinbefore described with respect to Figs. 13 to 18. As
described, the respective wire or cable retainers 659, 660
have a generally circular configuration except for a
flattened or linear wall surface 659A, 660A, which is
arranged to engage the adjacent vertical wall surface 655A,
655B of the inlet end portion 655 when inserted into their
associated passageways or bore 652, 653. The
arrangement
is such that the orientation of the respective wire or
cable retainers 656, 660 relative to their respective
passageways or bores are predetermined. As
previously
described, the respective wire or cable retainers are
proportioned and sized so as to be press fitted or
frictionally fitted within their corresponding bore or
passageway 653, 653 in a manner to withstand any
unintentional separation of the cable retainer from its
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corresponding bore. In all
other respects, the
construction and function of the internal wire or cable
retainer is similar to that hereinbefore described with
respect to Figs. 13 and 18.
As noted in Figs. 46 and 50, the connector assembly
650 includes a bushing 661, constructed preferably of a
plastic non-conducting material arranged to be inserted in
the outlet opening 654 of the connector body 651. The
bushing 661 includes a cylindrical body portion 661A sized
and shaped so as to complement the internal surface of the
outlet opening 654 with a friction or press fit. The
leading end of the bushing 661 is provided with a radially
outwardly extending flange 661B which functions as a stop
to limit the insertability of the bushing 661 within the
outlet end opening 654.
In the assembled position of the respective component
parts, it will be noted that the bushing 661 is inserted
and secured within the outlet end opening 654 before the
frustro-conical external retainer 650 is secured about the
outlet end portion 651B of the connector body. Thus,
the
engagement of the frustro-conical retainer 650 with the
retainer lugs 656 insures that the bushing 661 is prevented
from being separated from the outlet opening as it is
firmly sandwiched between the outlet opening 654 of the
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connector body 651 and the frustro-conical retainer 650
secured to the outlet end portion 651B.
As the cable retainers 659, 660 are provided with
forwardly inclined retaining tangs 662, the respective
cable or wire conductors 663 can be readily secured thereto
simply by inserting the cable or wire conductor into the
respective inlet passageways whereby the retaining tangs
permit only unidirectional insertion while resisting an
opposing force applied to the cable or wire conductor so as
to prohibit any unintentional separation of the cable or
wire conductor from the connector body 651.
The simplicity of a duplex connection having a unitary
connector body construction provided with an outer frustro-
conical retainer for securing the same with a snap fit
locking arrangement to an electric box or panel, and the
ease by which a wire conductor can be secured to a
connector body utilizing the described internal cable
retainers enhances the ease of manufacture and assembly of
such connectors to result in substantial savings of labor
and costs for producing the same, while enhancing the ease
of use of such connectors in the field which further aids
to minimize the time, effort and labor required to install
the same.
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The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set
forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation
consistent
with the Description as a whole
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