CABLE CONNECTOR COVER

• US 20140295700A1
• Filed: 06/06/2014
• Published: 10/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: John Mezzalingua Associates, Llc
• Original Assignee: John Mezzalingua Associates, Llc
• Inventors: Montena, Noah, Natoli, Christopher
• Granted Patent: US 9,917,394 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/521
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5213 Covers
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/70 Insulation of connections end caps H01R4/22

Abstract

A cable connector cover includes, in one embodiment, a unitary body. The unitary body has a plurality of portions. The portions have different diameters for receiving a cable connector and establishing one or more seals.

Claims

1. A cable connector cover comprising:

a unitary body extending along an axis, the unitary body configured to receive a cable portion and a connector attached to the cable portion, the unitary body comprising;

a rearward portion comprising a rearward inner surface, the rearward inner surface defining a rearward space configured to receive the cable portion, the rearward inner surface configured to engage and form a seal against the cable portion;

an intermediate portion comprising an intermediate inner surface, the intermediate inner surface defining an intermediate space which is larger than the rearward space, the intermediate portion configured to receive at least part of a connector body of the connector; and

a forward portion comprising a forward inner surface, the forward inner surface configured to receive, engage, and form a seal against an outer surface of an interface component when the connector is attached to the interface component, part of the forward inner surface defining a forward space which is smaller than the intermediate space.

2. The cable connector cover of claim 1, wherein the unitary body comprises a shoulder to transition from the rearward portion to the intermediate portion, the unitary body further comprising at least one groove located adjacent to the shoulder to block an environmental element from entering the intermediate space and reaching the connector body.

3. The cable connector cover of claim 2, wherein the shoulder defines at least part of the at least one groove.

4. The cable connector cover of claim 2, wherein the at least one groove defines at least one reservoir configured to contain moisture.

5. The cable connector cover of claim 2, wherein the forward portion comprises at least one additional groove.

6. The cable connector cover of claim 1, wherein the connector comprises a coupler which is rotatably coupled to the connector body, the unitary body comprising at least one surface configured to engage the coupler.

7. The cable connector cover of claim 1, wherein the unitary body has an outer surface, at least part of the outer surface comprising a gripping element configured to facilitate gripping of the cable connector cover.

8. The cable connector cover claim 1, wherein the interface component comprises an element selected from the group consisting of an interface ring, a shank portion of a bulkhead, and a cable connector configured to mate with the connector.

9. A cable connector cover comprising:

a unitary body defining a cavity extending along an axis, the cavity configured to receive a cable portion and a connector attached to the cable portion, the unitary body comprising;

a rearward portion comprising a rearward inner diameter, the rearward portion defining an opening configured to receive the cable portion, the rearward portion also comprising a reservoir surface configured to engage the cable portion;

an intermediate portion comprising an intermediate inner diameter which is greater than the rearward inner diameter, the intermediate portion configured to receive at least part of a connector body of the connector, the intermediate portion also configured to receive and engage a coupler which is rotatably coupled to the connector body; and

a forward portion configured to receive, engage, and form a seal against an outer surface of an interface component when the connector is attached to the interface component.

10. The cable connector cover of claim 9, wherein the forward portion comprises a forward inner diameter which is different from the intermediate inner diameter.

11. The cable connector cover of claim 10, wherein the forward inner diameter is greater than the intermediate inner diameter.

12. The cable connector cover of claim 9, wherein the unitary body comprises a shoulder to transition from the rearward inner diameter to the intermediate inner diameter, the reservoir surface being located adjacent to the shoulder.

13. The cable connector cover of claim 12, wherein the shoulder defines at least part the reservoir surface.

14. The cable connector cover of claim 9, wherein the reservoir surface is configured to contain moisture.

15. The cable connector cover of claim 9, wherein the reservoir surface comprises at least one groove.

16. The cable connector cover of claim 15, wherein the forward portion comprises at least one additional groove.

17. The cable connector cover of claim 9, wherein the unitary body has an outer surface, at least part of the outer surface comprising a gripping element configured to facilitate gripping of the cable connector cover.

18. The cable connector cover claim 9, wherein the interface component comprises an element selected from the group consisting of an interface ring, a shank portion of a bulkhead, and a cable connector configured to mate with the connector.

19. A cable connector cover comprising:

a unitary body configured to receive a cable portion and a connector attached to the cable portion, the unitary body comprising;

a first portion defining a first cavity configured to receive the cable portion, the first cavity comprising a first diameter, the first portion configured to engage and form a seal against the cable portion;

a second portion defining an second cavity, the second cavity comprising a second diameter which is greater than the first diameter, the second portion configured to surround at least part of a connector body of the connector, and

a third portion defining a third cavity configured to surround and contact a rotatable coupler of the connector, part of the third cavity comprising a third diameter which is greater than the second diameter, the third portion comprising an end configured to surround, engage, and form a seal against at least part of an interface component when the connector is attached to the interface component, the end comprising at least one groove.

20. The cable connector cover of claim 19, wherein the first portion defines at least one additional groove configured to engage the cable portion, the at least one additional groove being located adjacent to the second section to block an environmental element from entering the second cavity and reaching the connector body.

21. The cable connector cover of claim 20, wherein the unitary body comprises a shoulder to transition from the first diameter to the second diameter, the shoulder and the at least one additional groove being juxtaposed.

22. The cable connector cover of claim 21, wherein the shoulder defines at least part of the at least one additional groove.

23. The cable connector cover of claim 22, wherein the at least one additional groove defines at least one reservoir configured to contain moisture.

24. The cable connector cover of claim 20, wherein the unitary body has an outer surface, at least part of the outer surface comprising a gripping element configured to facilitate gripping of the cable connector cover.

25. The cable connector cover of claim 19, wherein the end comprises a fourth diameter, the fourth diameter being different from the second diameter.

26. The cable connector cover of claim 25, wherein the fourth diameter is the same as the third diameter.

27. The cable connector cover claim 19, wherein the interface component comprises an element selected from the group consisting of an interface ring, a shank portion of a bulkhead, and a cable connector configured to mate with the connector.

28. The cable connector cover of claim 19, wherein a section of the cable connector cover is configured to engage, and establish a seal with, a collar, the section configured to be received by a space defined by the collar.