Universal seal and support guide for push-pull cable terminals
First Claim
1. In combination with a flexible coaxial push-pull cable including coaxial outer and inner cable members, said outer cable member having a terminal tubular fitting thereon, said tubular fitting having an open-end receptacle through which said inner cable member passes, said inner cable member projecting axially beyond said terminal tubular fitting and having a terminal rod-like extension fitting thereon, said inner cable member being longitudinally slidable in said outer cable member to project by varying distances beyond said tubular fitting and being subject to bending flexure relative thereto,a resiliently deformable socket tube having a shank portion and having on one end socket means forming a hollow ball-and-socket joint socket element,a support tube slidably engaging said rod-like fitting, said support tube having on one end a hollow ball-and-socket joint ball element retentively engageable in said socket means in universally pivotal sealed relationship therewith,said open-end receptacle of said terminal tubular fitting being formed and dimensioned to snugly receive by longitudinal insertion said socket tube including said shank portion and said socket means thereof with said ball element retained by said socket means, whereby said terminal tubular fitting forms a seal with said socket tube and prevents expansion of said socket means under attempted dislodgement force applied to said support tube relative to said socket tube,said support tube and said socket tube having cooperable stop surfaces interengageable upon predetermined angular movement of said support tube out of coaxial alignment with said socket tube so as to limit flexure of said cable inner member.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A flexure-limiting tubular ball and socket universal joint device protectively supports and guides the inner or center cable of a coaxial push-pull cable assembly while providing a seal effective to exclude dirt and moisture in the variously deflected positions of the inner member and its load-connected extension rod fitting. The cable inner member extension rod fitting passes through a support tube and a sliding seal therein, the support tube having at one end a hollow ball-shaped element that snaps into a mating socket element on a socket tube of resilient plastic material. The socket tube with the ball element retained in the socket element is then inserted longitudinally into a receptacle formed in a tubular terminal member on the outer cable. In the fully inserted position, the snug fit between the socket tube forms a seal, not only with the ball element within it but with the surrounding wall of the tubular fitting receptacle; moreover, the universal joint ball element is then permanently retained within the closely collared socket element, and with the socket tube in its fully inserted position being locked in the receptacle, a rugged protective universal joint and seal is formed.
248 Citations
14 Claims
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1. In combination with a flexible coaxial push-pull cable including coaxial outer and inner cable members, said outer cable member having a terminal tubular fitting thereon, said tubular fitting having an open-end receptacle through which said inner cable member passes, said inner cable member projecting axially beyond said terminal tubular fitting and having a terminal rod-like extension fitting thereon, said inner cable member being longitudinally slidable in said outer cable member to project by varying distances beyond said tubular fitting and being subject to bending flexure relative thereto,
a resiliently deformable socket tube having a shank portion and having on one end socket means forming a hollow ball-and-socket joint socket element, a support tube slidably engaging said rod-like fitting, said support tube having on one end a hollow ball-and-socket joint ball element retentively engageable in said socket means in universally pivotal sealed relationship therewith, said open-end receptacle of said terminal tubular fitting being formed and dimensioned to snugly receive by longitudinal insertion said socket tube including said shank portion and said socket means thereof with said ball element retained by said socket means, whereby said terminal tubular fitting forms a seal with said socket tube and prevents expansion of said socket means under attempted dislodgement force applied to said support tube relative to said socket tube, said support tube and said socket tube having cooperable stop surfaces interengageable upon predetermined angular movement of said support tube out of coaxial alignment with said socket tube so as to limit flexure of said cable inner member.
Specification