TIGHT ANGLE MULTI-CONTACT ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR

• US 3,711,815 A
• Filed: 06/24/1971
• Issued: 01/16/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Daniel R. Doucet, Edward J. Pierce
• Original Assignee: Daniel R. Doucet, Edward J. Pierce
• Inventors: Pierce, Edward J., Doucet, Daniel R.
• Primary Examiner(s): McGlynn, Joseph H.
• Application Number:
  US05/156,306
• Time in Patent Office: 572 Days
• Field of Search: 339/89,90,92,94,218 285/184,363,368 174/86
• US Class Current: 439/319
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/562 Bending-relieving

Abstract

A multi-contact right angle connector is adapted to permit cable entry at any one of a large plurality of discrete angular orientations with highly reliable hermetic seals to maintain a stable dry environment in the critical internal region.

Claims

1. A multi-contact right angle electrical connector for a jacketed multi-conductor electrical cable comprising in combination:

a first generally cylindrical tubular shell enclosing an electrical insulator;

an array of electrical contacts supported within and extending through said insulator;

said insulator being bonded to said contacts and to the interior surface of said shell to provide hermetic seals with said contacts and shell;

a second tubular shell formed with a substantially right angle bend, and adapted to enclose a multi-conductor jacketed electrical cable;

confronting attachment means provided on adjacent ends of said first and second tubular shells and arranged to permit rigid attachment of said first and second tubular shells at any one of a plurality of discrete angular orientations;

the attachment means on said first tubular shell and the outer surface of said first shell being formed and arranged together to define an annular recess;

a gasket disposed within said annular recess and compressed therein by said confronting attachment means when said first and second shells are rigidly attached to provide a hermetic seal between said shells; and

means on said second tubular shell at the end opposite said attachment means for providing a hermetic seal between said second shell and the jacket of a multi-conductor electrical cable.

2. A multi-contact right angle electrical connector in accordance with claim 1 wherein said confronting attachment means comprises:

first and second confronting flanges rigidly secured to adjacent ends of said first and second tubular shells, respectively;

one of said flanges having a plurality of equiangular spaced openings, the other of said flanges having a substantially larger plurality of equiangular spaced openings, selective ones of said larger plurality being adapted for alignment with each of said openings in said first flange in a substantial number of discrete angular orientations;

detachable means for rigidly securing together said first and second flanges through said aligned openings;

the inner edge of said first flange at the junction with said first shell being formed with a bevel to define said annular recess;

said recess having a generally triangular cross-section;

said gasket comprising an O-ring adapted to fit within said recess and to be compressed by said first and second flanges when rigidly secured to each other.

3. A multi-contact right angle electrical connector as in claim 2 and including:

a hollow cylindrical coupling surrounding said first tubular shell;

an annular ridge formed on the outer surface of said first shell;

said coupling being captured by said first flange and said annular ridge and arranged for limited motion therebetween; and

resilient means within said coupling normally urging said coupling toward said first flange.

4. A multi-contact right angle electrical connector as in claim 3 wherein said means on said second tubular shell for providing a hermetic seal between said second shell and said cable jacket comprises:

a cable nut threaded into said second tubular shell at the end remote from said second flange;

a cable nut gasket positioned internally of said second shell and adjacent said cable nut;

said gasket being arranged to provide, when said cable nut is tightened, a hermetic seal around a jacket of a cable entering said connector through said cable nut.