Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
DUPLEX ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WITH FRUSTRO-CONICAL
RETAINING RING AND CRIMPED INLET END
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 an outlet end of a
connector body for effecting a snap fit connection to an
electrical box. More specifically, this invention is
directed to further improvements in electrical connector
assemblies providing more secure connections and fewer
parts.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Electrical connectors are commonly used for
attaching electrical conductors, cables, wires,
electrical metal 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 US Patents 6,860,758; 6,444,907;
5.169,258; 5,266,050; 5,171,164; 2,744,769 and 1,483,216
for example. Reference is also made to U.S. Patent
6,768,057 which is directed to a right angle type
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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 US Patent
4,880,387. Various other known efforts to facilitate the
connection of an electrical conductor to an electric box
are evidenced by US 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 of the known connectors in an effort to
advance the electrical connector art. This disclosure is
directed to such efforts.
In particular, difficulties have arisen in holding
cable retainers within a connector body. Often the cable
retainers are held in by friction or a threaded fastener.
Friction may not provide a sufficient resistance to being
separated in all application, and a threaded fastener
adds cost and complexity with the assembly of the
electrical connector. Therefore, there is a need for a
simple, easily manufactured electrical connector that
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securely retains cable retainers within the connector body.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a secure electrical
connector, preferably a duplex electrical connector, which
securely holds cable or wire conductors that have been pushed
into the connector body of the electrical connector. Lips
formed on the inlet end of the connector body are crimped or in
turned to securely hold a sleeve or cylindrical cable retainer
within the connector body assuring that the sleeve or
cylindrical cable retainer is not unintentionally separated from
the connector body.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention, there is provided an electrical connector assembly
comprising: a connector body formed from a unitary casting
having an inlet end portion and an outlet end portion; a sloping
surface formed on the outlet end portion; a retaining lug formed
on the sloping surface; a frustro-conical outer retainer having
a central opening, a retaining slot, and a plurality of locking
tangs, wherein the frustro-conical outer retainer is placed on
the sloping surface and the retaining slot is placed over the
retaining lug holding the frustro-conical outer retainer onto
the outlet end portion; a bore formed in the inlet end portion
of the connector body; a cable retainer inserted into the bore;
forwardly inclined retaining tangs formed in the cable retainer,
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whereby a cable or wire conductor pushed in the cable retainer
is securely held in place by the forwardly inclined retaining
tangs; and an in turned lip formed on the connector body
circumscribing greater than 180 degrees and less than 360
degrees of the inlet end portion, whereby the cable retainer is
securely held within the bore.
Another embodiment provides a duplex electrical connector
assembly which includes a connector body formed from a unitary
casting having an inlet end portion and an outlet end portion.
A sloping surface is formed on the outlet end portion. A pair
of retaining lugs are formed on the sloping surface. A frustro-
conical outer retainer is provided having a central opening, a
pair of retaining slots, a plurality of locking tangs, and a
plurality of grounding tangs, wherein the frustro-conical outer
retainer is placed on the sloping surface and one of the pair of
retaining slots is placed over a respective one of the pair of
retaining lugs holding the frustro-conical outer retainer onto
the outlet end portion. A pair of parallel passageways are
formed in the inlet end portion of the connector body, the pair
of parallel passageways open to each other over a partition
land. A pair of cable retainers are provided each having a
linear wall surface portion, one of the pair of cable retainers
inserted into a respective one of the pair of parallel
passageways, wherein the linear wall surface portion of each of
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the pair of cable retainers is held adjacent each other. A pair
of opposing forwardly inclined retaining tangs are formed in
each of the pair of cable retainers, whereby a cable or wire
conductor pushed in one of the pair of cable retainers is
securely held in place by one of the pair of opposing forwardly
inclined retaining tangs. An in turned lip is formed on the
connector body circumscribing greater than 180 degrees and less
than 360 degrees of each of the inlet end portions of the pair
of parallel passageways on the inlet end portion, whereby the
pair of cable retainers are securely held within the inlet end
portion of the connector body.
A further embodiment of the present invention provides
the duplex electrical connector assembly for snap-fitting into
an electrical box having a cylindrical opening and retaining two
wire conductors. The connector assembly includes a connector
body formed from a unitary casting having a duplex inlet end
portion and a single outlet end portion, a sloping surface
formed on the single outlet end portion. A stop flange is
placed between the sloping surface and the connector body. A
pair of opposing retaining lugs are formed on the sloping
surface. A frustro-conical outer retainer is provided having a
central opening, a pair of retaining slots, a plurality of
locking tangs extending cantileverly out of a surface of the
frustro-conical outer retainer, and a plurality of cantilever
grounding tangs, wherein the frustro-conical outer
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retainer is placed on the sloping surface and one of the pair of
retaining slots is placed over a respective one of the pair of
retaining lugs holding the frustro-conical outer retainer onto
the outlet end portion. Wherein a distal end of the plurality
of grounding tangs extends closer to the stop flange than a
distal end of the plurality of locking tangs. A pair of
parallel passageways open to each other along a longitudinal
length are formed in the inlet end portion of the connector
body. A partition land is provided having curved sides and a
planar top separating each of the pair of parallel passageways
over the longitudinal length. A pair of cable retainers are
provided, one of the pair of cable retainers inserted into a
respective one of the pair of parallel passageways adjacent the
partition land and mating with the curved sides, each of the
pair of cable retainers having a linear wall surface positioned
adjacent each other. A pair of opposing forwardly inclined
retaining tangs are formed in each of the pair of cable
retainers, whereby a cable or wire conductor pushed in one of
the pair of cable retainers is securely held in place by one of
the pair of opposing forwardly inclined retaining tangs. An in
turned lip is formed on the connector body circumscribing the
pair of parallel passageways on the inlet end portion and
extending greater than one hundred and eighty degrees and less
than three hundred and sixty degrees around each of the parallel
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passageways and extending to the partition land, whereby the
pair of cable retainers are securely held within the inlet end
portion of the connector body.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides
a duplex electrical connector assembly for snap-fitting into an
electrical box having a cylindrical opening and retaining two
wire conductors having a connector body formed from a unitary
casting having a duplex inlet end portion and a single outlet
end portion; a surface formed on the single outlet end portion.
A stop flange is placed between the surface and the connector
body. An outer retainer having locking tangs is placed on the
surface. A pair of parallel passageways open to each other
along a longitudinal length are formed in the inlet end portion
of the connector body. A partition land is provided having
curved sides and a planar top separating each of the pair of
parallel passageways over the longitudinal length. A pair of
cable retainers are provided, one of the pair of cable retainers
inserted into a respective one of the pair of parallel
passageways adjacent the partition land and mating with the
curved sides, each of the pair of cable retainers having a
linear wall surface positioned adjacent each other. A pair of
opposing forwardly inclined retaining tangs are formed in each
of the pair of cable retainers, whereby a cable or wire
conductor pushed in one of the pair of cable retainers
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is securely held in place by one of the pair of opposing
forwardly inclined retaining tangs. An in turned lip is formed
on the connector body circumscribing the pair of parallel
passageways on the inlet end portion and extending greater than
one hundred and eighty degrees and less than three hundred and
sixty degrees around each of the parallel passageways and
extending to the partition land, whereby the pair of cable
retainers are securely held within the inlet end portion of the
connector body.
In one embodiment of the electrical connector, 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 opposed end
portions are one or more retaining lugs, which may be
circumferentially spaced about the end opening and a frustro-
conically shaped, snap-fit retainer is fitted onto and secured
to the outlet end portion of the connector body. The frustro-
conical outer 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
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the face portion or central opening to define a frustro-
conical shaped cup or ring. The frustro-conical shaped
cup or ring so formed is provided with blanked out or die
cut tangs to define outwardly bent locking tangs and
grounding tangs. The trailing edge and grounding tangs of
the frustro-conical ring or cup provides for electrical
grounding in the assembled position of the electrical
connector to an electric box or panel.
The frustro-conical outer retainer so formed from
the frustro-conical ring or cup also has a slot adapted
, to receive a retaining lug when the frustro-conical cup
or ring is fitted onto the outlet end portion of the
connector body whereby the free or trailing edge of the
frustro-conical ring or cup define a grounding edge or
tang that engages the inner periphery of the knockout
hole of an associated electric box or panel for effecting
positive electrical continuity or grounding therebetween.
To form the frustro-conical ring or cup, 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 frustro-conical outer retainer
thus formed is fitted over or onto the outlet end portion
of the connector body so that the retaining slot formed
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in the frustro-conical outer retainer is adapted to
receive the complementary retaining lug formed on the
surface of the outlet end portion of the connector body
for retaining or securing the frustro-conical outer
retainer on the outlet end portion.
With the construction described, the outlet end
portion of the electrical 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 knockout hole of an electric
box, and then spring outwardly to lock the electrical
connector assembly to the electric box or electric
support panel with the trailing or grounding edge or tang
of the frustro-conical outer retainer being inherently
biased so as to be urged against the internal periphery
of the knockout hole due to the frustro-conical
configuration and inherent resiliency of the grounding
edge or tang to effect a positive electric ground as a
result thereof.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present
invention to provide an electrical connector having a
structure that securely holds a cable or wire conductor.
It is an advantage of the present invention that =
fasteners are not required to hold the cable or wire
conductors in place.
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It is a feature of the present invention that a
crimp or in turned lip is used to securely hold cable
retainers within the connector body.
It is another feature of the present invention that
a frustro-conical outer retainer is used having a leading
edge, a trailing edge and an intermediate portion
therebetween and having an integrally formed outwardly
sprung locking tang that can be readily connected to a
knockout hole of an electric box, panel or enclosure with
a snap-fit wherein the trailing edge of the frustro-
conical outer retainer functions to enhance the
electrical ground between the electrical box and the
connector body.
Another object of this invention is to provide for
an electrical connector assembly that includes an
electrical connector body having an outlet end opening
having a frustro-conical outer surface for receiving
thereon a complementary frustro-conical outer retainer
that is readily fitted to and retained about the outlet
end opening of the outlet end portion of the connector
body.
Another object of the present invention is to
provide an electrical connector assembly that is
relatively simple to fabricate, positive in operation,
and economical to produce and sell.
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These and other objects, advantages, and features
will become readily apparent in view of the following
more detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an
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 .
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Fig. 10 is a fragmentary front view of the connector
assembly secured to an electric box as viewed from the
electrical box.
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.
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Fig. 22 is a top plan view of the embodiment of Fig.
20 having parts thereof broken away.
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 partially exploded 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.
Fig. 46 is an exploded perspective view of a
modified duplex connector embodying the invention.
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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.
Fig. 52 is a perspective view of another embodiment
of the present invention having a crimped inlet end.
Fig. 53 is an exploded perspective view of the
embodiment illustrated in Fig. 52.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to the drawings, there is shown in Fig. 1
an electrical connector assembly 10. The connector
assembly 10 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.
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Intermediate the connector body 11 or between the inlet
end portion 11A and outlet end portion 11B there is
provided a radially outwardly 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 180 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 BE.
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As illustrated in Fig. 2, the opposed pair of arms
AA are each provided with a retaining slot 21. The
opposed 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 B,B 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
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cup having circumscribing frustro-conical or outwardly
flaring 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 118 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 or
panel 15 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 or panel 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.
It will be understood that the wire conductor 25 may
be secured to the connector assembly 10 either before or
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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 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 10 to an electric box 15 while the
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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
Conductor Ring. As illustrated in Fig. 11, the connector
assembly 30 includes a connector body 31 which may be formed as a
casting form of a suitable metal or alloy, e.g. zinc and the
like, as hereinbefore described. The connector body 31 includes
a conically shaped outlet end 31A similar to that described with
respect to Fig. 1, and a cylindrical inlet end 31B. A
circumscribing internal shoulder 31C is formed intermediate the
opposed ends of the connector body 31. As shown in Fig. 12, the
internal shoulder 31C defines the demarcation between the bore
32A defining the outlet end 31 and the bore 32B defining the bore
of the inlet end. Circumscribing the connector body 31 about the
exterior thereof is a radially outwardly extending stop flange
33.
The outlet end 31A of the connector body 30 is provided
with opposed retaining lugs 37 adjacent the outlet opening 36.
Circumscribing the sloping or conical surface S of the outlet end
31A is the outer retaining ring 38, similar to that hereinbefore
described with respect to Figs. 1 to 10.
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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
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 40C 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.
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Blanked, lanced, cut or stamped out of the plane of blank
40 are one or more tangs 45. In one form 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.
As shown in Figs. 15 and 18, the respective finger tangs
45A, 45A are inwardly bent out of 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 retainer
sleeve is 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
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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 the wire conductors, e.g.
an armored conductor or other covered conductor.
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 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 453 of the respective fingers 45A are angularly offset to
engage the grooves of an armored conductor, as noted in Fig. 12
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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 well as by simply
inserting the armored covered conductor into the retainer sleeve
to effect a snap fit connection.
Fig. 19 illustrates a further embodiment. The embodiment
of Fig. 19 is directed to a connector assembly 50 which is
generally similar to that disclosed in Figs. 1 to 10. The
embodiment of Fig. 19 differs from that disclosed in Figs. 1 to
and Figs. 11 to 18 in that the connector body 51 is provided
with a slotted opening 52 in the inlet end 51A thereof positioned
adjacent to the radially outwardly extending flange 53.
Intermediate between the inlet end 51A and the flange 53, the
inlet end is provided with a tapped or threaded hole 54 for
receiving a set screw 55.
In this form, the wire retainer means comprises an inverted
U shape clamp 56 having opposed leg portions 56A, 56B and an
interconnected web 56C. The web 56C is provided with an aperture
or hole 57 arranged to be disposed in alignment with the tapped
or threaded hole 57. The web 560 is sufficiently wide so that
one leg, e.g. leg 563, is extended through the slotted opening 52
and the other leg 56A extends over the inlet opening 58 to the
inlet end portion 51A. The retaining clamp 56 is adjustably
secured to the connector body 51 by the set screw 55 extending
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through the aligned tapped hole or screw hole 52. By having one
leg 568 extending through the slotted opening 52 and the other
leg 56A extending over the inlet opening 58, the clamp 56 can be
readily adjusted relative to the connector body by turning the
set screw 18 in one direction or the other. The arrangement is
such that as the set screw 55 is tightened, the opposed and
spaced apart free ends of the respective clamp legs 56A, 568 will
exert a bearing force on the wire conductor sheath to positively
secure a wire conductor to the inlet end of the connector
assembly. In all other respects, the connector assembly of Fig.
19 is similar to that disclosed in Figs. 1 to 10, and need not be
repeated.
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 allow 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.
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
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Unidirectional Wire Conductor Retaining Ring, now U.S. Patent
7,064,272. Figs. 20 to 32 are directed to a further
modification. As best seen in Figs. 20 and 21, the connector
assembly 60 includes a housing or connector body formed of a pair
of complementary sections or members 61 and 62. The respective
complementary sections or members 61 and 62 are preferably formed
as casting of any suitable metal or alloy material, e.g. zinc,
aluminum and the like.
As best seen in Fig. 21, one of the housing complementary
members, e.g. 61, is provided with a projecting leading or outlet
end 61A, which is adapted to be inserted through a knockout hole
14 of an electric box or panel 15. The leading or outlet end 61A
is formed with an annular configuration to define an outlet
opening 63, through which the conductor leads or wires 80A may
extend as noted in Fig. 20. The outer surface S of the leading
end 61A slopes or tapers downward toward the central axis of the
connector assembly to define a frustro conical outer surface S on
the leading end 61A.
The complementary member 61 also includes a trailing or
inlet end 64. As shown in Fig. 21, the trailing or inlet end 64
is formed as a pair of semi-cylindrical chambers 64A, 64B
disposed in parallel side by side arrangement separated by an
intermediate wall or division 65. The opposed ends of the
respective chambers 64A, 64B are defined between an inturned lip
66A circumscribing the inlet opening 66 to the respective
chambers 64A, 64B and a transverse web 67. A transition section
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68 connects the respective chambers 64A-64B to leading or outlet
end 61A.
Extending through the intermediate wall 65 is a tapped hole
68B having internal threads. Also formed on the wall 65 is an
aligning depression or recess 69. Circumscribing the leading or
outlet end 61A is a radially outwardly extending flange 70 which
functions as a stop to limit the distance the connector assembly
60 can be inserted through a knockout opening 14 of an electric
box or panel 15.
The complementary housing section or member 62 is formed
with a pair of semi-cylindrical chambers 64A', 64B' disposed in
parallel relationship and arranged to complement chambers 64A,
64B in the assembled position of the respective housing members
61, 62, as best noted in Figs. 20 and 31. Housing member 62 is
provided with a hole 71 extending therethrough which is arranged
to be disposed in alignment with the tapped hole 68B whereby the
respective housing sections 61, 62 can be secured in the
assembled position by a threaded fastening screw 72 inserted
through hole 71 and threaded into the tapped hole 68 of the other
housing member 61. Housing member 62 is also provided with a
transition section 68A that complements transition section 68 of
the other housing member or section 61.
To facilitate the alignment of the two housing sections 61
and 62 in assembling the sections 61, 62, there are provided
complementary aligning means. In the illustrated embodiment, the
aligning means comprises a notch 73 formed at the leading end of
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the housing member 62 which is arranged to mate with a
complementary projection or lug 74 formed on the outlet end
portion of the housing member 61. Another alignment means
includes a recess or depression 69 formed in the dividing wall 65
of housing member 61 arranged to be disposed in alignment with
the projection or dimple 69A formed on the dividing wall 65A of
housing member 62.
In this form, the outlet or leading end 61A is provided
with retainer lug 75 projecting outwardly from the conical
surface S of the outlet end 61A. In the illustrated embodiment,
two such retaining lugs 75 are oppositely disposed. Disposed
about the outer sloping or tapered surface S of the outlet end
61A is a frustro-conical retainer ring 76. The conical retaining
ring 76 is formed and constructed in the manner hereinbefore
described with respect to Figs. 2 to 4 and need not be repeated.
As seen in Figs. 20 and 21, the frustro conical external retainer
ring 76 can be readily slipped onto the outlet end 61A so that
upon engagement of the retainer lugs 75 with the complementary
slots 76A formed on the retainer ring 76, the retainer ring 76 is
maintained in position on the external surface S of the leading
or outlet end 61A as hereinbefore described.
In this form, a wire conductor retainer ring or sleeve 77
is arranged to be disposed and clamped between the complementary
chambers defined by the respective housing sections or members
61, 62 when assembled. The respective wire retainer rings or
sleeves 77 are similar in construction and function to that
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described with respect to Figs. 13 to 16, which need not be
repeated. It will be noted that dividing wall 65, 65A of the
respective housing members 61, 62 are arranged to engage the flat
area 77A of the respective wire retainer sleeves 77 thereby
functioning as a means for effecting proper orientation of the
respective wire retainer sleeves 77 within their respective
chambers in the assembled position of the housing sections or
members 61, 62.
To assemble the connector 60 of Figs. 20, 21, a formed
conductor wire retainer ring 77 as hereinbefore described, is
position in each semi-cylindrical chamber defined in one of the
housing sections, e.g., as illustrated in Figs. 21 or 22; noting
that the flat portion 77A of the respective wire conductor
retainer sleeves 77 are positioned against the adjacent opposing
surfaces 65B of the dividing wall 65, as best seen in Fig. 23.
In this position, the opposite ends of the respective sleeves 77
abut the interior lip 66A adjacent the inlet opening and the
transverse web 67. With the wire retainer rings 77 thus
positioned within their respective chamber, the other housing
member, e.g. member 62, is fitted to housing member 61 whereby
the respective housing sections clamp the respective wire
retaining sleeves 77 therebetween as the fastening screw 72 is
rotated to secure the two housing sections together as shown in
Figs. 20 and 23. It will be noted that the outer diameter (OD)
of the wire retainer sleeves 77 are substantially equal to or
slightly greater than the internal diameter of the respective
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chambers in the assembly position of the housing sections 61, 62,
as noted in Figs. 20 and 23. The arrangement is such that the
respective retainer sleeves 77 are firmly secured within their
respective chamber, when assembled, so that the wire retainer
sleeves are prohibited from being separated from the connector
body or housing. With the housing members 61, 62 thus secured,
the external retainer ring 76 can be readily fitted onto the
leading end 61A of the connector body or housing, as hereinbefore
described.
With the connector body of Fig. 20 thus assembled, it will
be noted that the connector assembly 60 can be readily 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. Also with the arrangement described, a
wire conductor or cable can be readily attached to the trailing
end of the connector assembly 60 with a simple snap fit.
Fig. 20 illustrates a wire conductor having an external
helically wound sheath or outer covering 80 which can be readily
inserted through the inlet opening of one of the respective
chambers formed in the trailing end whereby the gripping tangs 78
formed in the wire retainer sleeves 77, as hereinbefore
described, securely grips the armored cable or wire conductors
with a snap fit, the arrangement being such that the wire so
secured is prohibited from becoming accidentally separated from
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the connector body, as hereinbefore described. While a
conventional armored type conductor 80 is illustrated in Fig. 20,
it will be understood that the described connector assembly
herein can be suitable for use with other types of wire
conductors, e.g. conductors having an external plastic or fabric
like sheath.
By simply removing the single fastening 72, the entire
assembly can be readily taken apart to effect the separation of
the wire conductor if so desired. If desired, the transition
portions 68, 68A of the respective housing sections 61, 62 may be
provided with peep holes 70 to view the individual conductor
wires 80A arranged within the connector body to facilitate an
electrical installation.
From the foregoing, it will be noted that the connector
assemblies disclosed herein 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, other disclosed embodiments
include a trailing end constructed to receive one or more wire
conductors and retaining the same to the connector body with a
simple snap fit motion. While the embodiment of Fig. 20 has been
illustrated and described as having a duplex trailing end
portion, it will be understood that the subject matter described
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can be utilized with one or more chambers formed in the trailing
end of the connector body described herein, depending upon the
number of wire conductors one may wish to connect to a single
connector body.
With respect to the embodiment of Figs. 20 to 32, the
arrangement is such that the connector body, being formed of two
component housing sections, and secured together with a fastener
as described imparts a clamping force onto the spring steel wire
retaining ring or sleeve with a surface to surface contact to
enhance electrical conductivity or grounding between the
component housing sections, and the wire retaining sleeves
clamped therebetween.
With the connector body of Fig. 20 illustrated, it will be
noted that the connector assembly 60 can be readily 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.
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.
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CA 2728542 2017-03-01
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. Pate 7,151,223.
Figs. 33 to 36 illustrate a further embodiment. The
connector assembly 300, as illustrated in Figs. 33 and 34,
includes a connector body 301 formed as a unitary casting of any
suitable metal or alloy, e.g. zinc and the like. The form of the
casting is somewhat similar to that shown in Fig. 20. 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.
Referring to Figs. 33 and 34, the connector body 301
includes an outlet end portion 301A, an inlet end portion 301B
defining a pair of inlet chambers 302A, 3023 disposed in side by
side relationship with a dividing wall 302 disposed therebetween;
and a transition section 301C for connecting the inlet or
trailing end portion 301B to the outlet or leading end portion
301A. While the connector body 301 has been illustrated as
having a pair of inlet chambers 302A, 3023, it will be understood
that the connector body may be formed to have more than two inlet
chambers disposed in side by side relationship.
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As previously described, the outer surface S of the outlet
end portion slopes or converges downwardly from a circumscribing
stop flange 304 toward the outlet opening 305. Circumferentially
spaced and projecting outwardly of the sloping surface S are a
pair of retaining lugs 306, similar to that hereinbefore
described. The arrangement is such that the outer surface S of
the outlet end portion 301A may be defined as being frustro-
conical in shape.
Circumscribing the outlet end portion is a complementary
shaped retaining ring 307. The retaining ring 307 is retained on
the outlet end portion 301A in a manner as hereinbefore described
with respect to the foregoing embodiments.
Each of the inlet chambers 302A, 302B include a generally
cylindrical configuration throughout an arc which is greater than
180 and less than 3600. The non-curvilinear portion of the
inlet chambers 302A, 302B, as viewed in Figs. 33, 34, is formed
as a flat surface 302C which is integrally connected to the
opposed ends of the curvilinear arcuate section by opposed
interconnected side walls 303.
In this embodiment of the invention, the respective inlet
chambers 302A, 3023 are each provided with a wire conductor
retainer 308. The respective wire retainers are formed out of an
elongated blank of spring steel or the like which is formed at
one end thereof with a reverse bend 308A to define a clip, which
is arranged to be fitted onto the flat surface 302C at the inlet
opening 309. As best seen in Figs. 33 and 34, the upper leaf of
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the return bent portion 308A of the wire retainer 308 is provided
with a slotted hole 310, which is disposed in alignment with a
retaining pin 311 projecting outwardly from the flat surface
302C. To fasten the wire retainer 308 to the inlet end portion,
the top of the retaining pin 311 may be swedged or flattened. An
alternate means for securing the wire retainer 308 to the
exterior flat surface 302C is to proportion the retaining pin 311
relative to the size of the hole 310 to provide a retaining
friction fit therebetween.
As best seen in Fig. 36, the other end 313 of the wire
retainer 308 is angularly bent relative to the under leaf of the
return bend 308A. The free end 313A of the angularly bent end
313 is provided with a concave curvilinear edge to engage the
peripheral surface of a wire conductor cover or shealt (not
shown). In the illustrated embodiment, the portion 313 of the
wire retainer is angularly bent at an approximately 45' angle
relative to the under leaf 308C of the return bend 308A. The
arrangement of the wire retainer 308 is such that a wire
conductor can be simply inserted into an inlet chamber 302A or
302B and pushed past the free end 313A of the angular bent
portion 313 whereby the wire conductor is gripped in a manner to
prohibit any unintentional withdrawal or separation of the wire
conductor from the connector body 301. The construction of the
wire retainer 308 is such that it is externally secured to the
inlet end portion of the connector body 301 for ease of assembly
and whereby the other free end 313A is projected into the inlet
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chamber in a manner such that a wire conductor can be readily
inserted into the associated inlet chamber to be positively
gripped thereby so as to prohibit any unintentional withdrawal or
separation of the wire conductor from the connector body.
If desired, the transition portion 301C may be provided
with one or more peepholes 314 for viewing the individual wire
conductors 80A arranged within the conductor body.
Figs. 37, 38 and 39 illustrate further modified embodiments
which are disclosed in application Serial No. 11/501,131 filed
August 8, 2006, now US patent 7,488,905, for Electrical Connector
With Outer Retainer Ring And Unidirectional Conductor Retainer.
As shown in Fig. 37, the electric connector assembly 320
includes a connector body 321 that has an inlet end portion 321A
and a connected outlet end portion 321B. Intermediate between
the inlet end portion 321A and the outlet end portion 321B there
is provided a radially outwardly extending flange 322 which
serves as a stop to limit the portion of the connector assembly
320 that may be inserted through a knock out hole of an electric
box, as hereinbefore described.
The inlet end portion 321A defines an inlet opening 323 and
the outlet end portion defines an outlet opening 324 that defines
the opposed ends of a bore 325 that extends through the connector
body between openings 323 and 324.
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In this form, the outer surface S of the outlet end portion
321B slopes or tapers downwardly from the stop flange 320 toward
the outlet opening 324, as hereinbefore described.
Circumscribing the outer surface S of the outlet end portion 321B
is a frustro-conical external snap fit ring 326 similar to that
hereinbefore described. The frustro-conical retainer ring 326 is
retained on the sloping surface S of the outlet end portion by
the retaining lugs 327 on the outlet end portion engaging the
complimentary slots 328 formed in the frustro-conical surface of
the outer retaining ring 326 as hereinbefore noted.
In this form, a simplified electrical conductor retainer
332 for securing an armor shielded electric wire, cable or other
electrical conductor or wire for securing the same connector body
is provided. As shown in Fig. 37, the inlet end portion 321A of
the connector body 321 is provided with a window or opening 330
which is disposed in communication with the bore 325 extending
through the connector body 321. Projecting outward from the
inlet end portion adjacent the inlet opening 323 is a raised
fastening mount or boss 331 having a generally flat upper surface
331A.
Supported on mount or boss 331 is a conductor retainer 332.
The conductor retainer 332 is formed of an elongated blank of
spring metal, e.g. spring steel or other suitable resilient
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material, which is angularly bent along an intermediate fold or
bend line Li, wherein the angularly bent end 332B is projected
through the window or opening 330 so as to extend into the bore
325 for engaging and retaining an electrical conductor. The
other end 332A of the conductor retainer is detachably secured to
the mount or boss 331 by means of a suitable fastener, e.g. a set
screw. The free end 332C may be provided with an arcuate
configuration so as to conform with the shape of a wire conductor,
that is received within the inlet end portion of the connector
body. The portion of the conductor retainer projecting through
the window or opening 330 is bent at an angle so that the free
end thereof is directed in the direction of the outlet opening
324 of the connector body 321. The arrangement is such that the
wire conductor or armored shield conductor can be readily
inserted into the inlet opening 323 in a unidirectional manner so
that when the conductor is gripped by the free' end 332C of the
wire retainer 321, the wire conductor cannot readily be pulled
out of the connector body without actively removing the inherent
resisting force imparted by the conductor retainer onto the
electric conductor.
From the foregoing description, it will be noted that the
described electric connector assembly 320 can be readily secured
to a knock out hole of an electric box simply by inserting the
outlet end with the attached frustro-conical retainer ring
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through the knock out hole so that upon seating the assembly in
the knock out hole causes the locking tangs 334 of ring 326 to
spring outwardly and lock the connector assembly to the electric
box. Also, the electric conductor can be simply attached to the
connector simply by inserting the electric conductor into the
inlet end portion wherein it is automatically gripped by the free
end 332C in a manner to prohibit any unintentional separation of
the electrical conductor from the associated connector assembly.
As will be noted, the wire retainer constitutes a
simplified structure which can be readily formed simply from an
elongated blank of spring steel or the like, which need only be
bent intermediate the length thereof and which is externally
mounted on the connector body. The simplified described
conductor retainer enhances not only the ease of manufacture and
assembly, the simplified structure further minimizes the amount
and cost of material otherwise required by the known connectors
capable of achieving the ease of use and utility of the invention
disclosed in the embodiments described.
Fig. 38 illustrates an embodiment as described with respect
to the embodiment of Fig. 37, except that it is applied to a
duplex type of an electrical connector assembly 340. As shown,
the embodiment of Fig. 38 is directed to an electrical connector
assembly having a connector body 341 that includes a trailing or
inlet end portion 341A that is shaped so as to define at least
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two passageways 342, 343, having inlet openings 342A, 343A
disposed in side by side relationship. While only two passages
342, 343 are illustrated, it will he understood that more than
two passageways may be disposed in side by side relationship,
depending upon the number of wire conductors one wishes to attach
to a given connector body.
The connector body 341 also includes an outlet end portion
344 similar to outlet end portion 321B of Fig. 37, and need not
be further described. It will be understood that the outlet end
344 is constructed so as to accommodate an outer retainer ring
similar to the retainer ring 326 described with respect to Fig.
37, and as hereinbefore described. The embodiment of Fig. 38
includes a transition section 345 that connects the duplex inlet
end portion 341A to the outlet end portion 344, and in
communication therewith.
The connector body 341 of Fig. 38 also includes a retainer
opening or window 342A, 343A disposed in communication with its
corresponding passageway 342, 343. Connected to the connector
body 341 are conductor retainers 342B, 343B which are similar in
structure and function as hereinbefore described with respect to
Fig. 38. As shown, the connector retainers 342B, 343B are
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secured at one end externally of the connector inlet end portion
341A on a mount or boss 346, 347 in the same manner as
hereinbefore described. In all other respects, the structure and
function of the connector assembly 340 is similar to that
described with respect to the embodiment of Fig. 37.
Fig. 39 illustrates a duplex version of the embodiment.
The embodiment of Fig. 39 is directed to an electrical connector
assembly 370 that includes a connector body 371 having a duplex
inlet end portion 371A, an outlet end portion 371B, and an
interconnected transition section 371C interposed between the
inlet end portion 371A and outlet end portion 371B. In the
illustrated embodiment, the inlet end portion is formed and
illustrated as having a pair of side by side passageways 372 and
373 extending through the inlet portion 371A, each passageway 372
and 373 being adapted to receive an electric conductor of the
type hereinbefore described. The respective passageways 372, 373
lead to the interior of the transition section 371C wherein the
wires of the electric conductor are directed to and out of the
inlet end portion 371B, as best noted in Fig. 20. It will be
understood that while the embodiment of Fig. 39 has been
illustrated and described as a duplex version of Fig. 39, the
inlet end portion 371A may be construed to have more than two
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passageways 372, 373, with or without partition walls, disposed
in side by side relationship, depending upon the number of
individual wire conductors one desires to connect to a given
inlet end portion of a connector body.
The outlet end portion 371B is arranged to receive an outer
retainer ring 374.
The embodiment disclosed in Fig. 39 includes an electrical
conductor retainer means 375, 376 and an associated window or
opening 377, 378 for each passageway 372, 373.
Figs. 40 to 45 are directed to other modified embodiments
of the invention. Figs. 40 to 45 are directed to a strap-type
electrical connector 300 for securing either nonmetallic cables
or armor or metal clad cables thereto, as will be described
herein.
As best seen in Figs. 40-44, 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
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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
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. 40, the frustro-conical, snap-fit, retainer
509 includes a front opening 510 circumscribed by
rearwardly and outwardly sloping or bent locking tangs
511. 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
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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 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
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the clamping strap 518 from the ear or lobe 515A, one
must intentionally skew or angle the 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 515B 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. 42) 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.
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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.
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. 40. In all other respects, the
function and structure of the strap connector 600 is
similar to that described with respect to Figs. 40 to 42
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
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CA 2728542 2017-03-01
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
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 51
having a single outlet end portion 651A and a duplex
inlet end portion 651B. As shown, the inlet end portion
65IB includes a pair of parallel passageways or bores
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CA 2728542 2017-03-01
652, 653 that are in communication with the outlet end
portion 651A. Between the inlet end portion 651B and the
outlet end portion 651A is a transition section 651C,
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.
CA 2728542 2017-03-01
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 652, 653 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 65974, 660A, which is arranged to engage the
adjacent vertical wall surface 65574, 655B of the
partition wall 655 in the inlet end portion 651B when
inserted into their associated passageways or bores 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
corresponding bore. In all other respects, the
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CA 2728542 2017-03-01
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 connector body 651
and the frustro-conical retainer 650 secured to the
outlet end portion 651B. However, the bushing 661 may
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CA 2728542 2017-03-01
also be placed in the outlet end opening 654 after the
frustro-conical retainer 650 has been inserted onto the
outlet end opening 654.
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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Figs. 52 and 53 illustrate another embodiment of the
invention disclosed herein. This embodiment provides a
more secure connection with fewer parts. This embodiment
is directed to a duplex type connector 750 having a
connector body 751 with an inlet end portion 7513 and an
outlet end portion 751A. A transition section 751C
transitions between the duplex inlet end portion 751B and
the single outlet end portion 751A. The single outlet end
portion 751A has an outlet end opening 754 in which is
placed a plastic bushing 761. The plastic bushing 761 has
a cylindrical body portion 761A and a flange 761B. Within
the body portion 761A is lanced a tab 761C. The tab 761C
is raised slightly out of the surface of the body portion
761A and provides a friction fit with the outlet end
opening 754. Placed over the single outlet end portion
751A on the sloping or conical surface S is a frustro-
conical outlet retainer 758. The frustro-conical outlet
retainer 758 is held on by two retaining lugs 756
extending through retaining slots 721. The frustro-
conical outlet retainer 758 has a central opening 720A.
The frustro-conical outlet retainer 758 also has cut
therein locking tangs 722 and grounding tangs 723. The
locking tangs 722 spring normally radially outward so as
to snap-fit onto an electrical box cylindrical opening,
not shown. The grounding tangs 723 help to maintain
electrical grounding continuity between the connector and
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CA 2728542 2017-03-01
the electrical box. At the duplex inlet end portion 751B
of the connector body 751 are a pair of parallel
passageways or bores 752 and 753 in which are placed
sleeves or cylindrical cable retainers 759 and 760. The
sleeves or cylindrical cable retainers 759 and 760 may be
initially friction fit within their respective
passageways or bores 752 and 753. Partition land 755 has
curved sides that mate with the sleeves or cylindrical
cable retainers 759 and 760. When the cylindrical cable
retainers 759 and 760 are placed within the bores 752 and
753 flattened or linear wall surfaces 759A and 760A of
the respective cylindrical cable retainers 759 and 760
are placed adjacent each other. The adjacent flattened or
linear wall surfaces 759A and 760A prevent the
cylindrical cable retainers 759 and 760 from rotating and
permit them to be positioned at a predetermined angular
orientation. The opposing forwardly inclined retaining
tangs 762 are positioned to retain a cable or wire
conductor, not shown, to be pushed into each of the
cylindrical cable retainers 759 and 760 and securely held
in place by the inclined retaining tangs 762. Lips 769
and 770 are crimped or turned over once the cylindrical
cable retainers 759 and 760 are placed within the bores
752 and 753 securely holding them in place and preventing
their unintentional removal. The lips 769 and 770 extend
greater than one hundred and eight degrees around the
CA 2728542 2017-03-01
perimeter of the bores 752 and 753 and extend along the
curved surface of the partition land 755 to the top
planar surface. The lips 769 and 770 end adjacent the top
planar surface of the partition land 755 at respective
lower lip end 771 and upper lip end 772. Accordingly, the
cable retainers 759 and 760 are held in place along their
entire curved perimeter or circumference.
While the cylindrical cable retainers 759 and 760
may be adequately held within the passageways or bores
752 and 753 by friction, the crimped or in turned lips
769 and 770 assure that the cylindrical cable retainers
759 and 760 are not inadvertently pulled from the
connector body 751. The in turned lips 769 and 770 may be
formed by any pressing or metal forming operation after
the cylindrical cable retainers 759 and 760 are inserted
into their respective passageway 752 or 753. The in
turned lips 769 and 770 need only turn in a portion
sufficiently to hold the cylindrical cable retainers 759
and 760 within the passageway 752 or 753, and may
preferably turn in the thickness of the wall of the
cylindrical cable retainers 759 and 760. Additionally,
this embodiment reduced the number of assembled parts or
additional fasteners needed, helping to reduce cost and
labor. Therefore, this embodiment of the invention is an
improvement.
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While the present invention has been described with
respect to several embodiments, it will be understood
that various modifications may be made without departing
from the spirit or scope of the invention.
52
