Strain relief and connector - cable assembly bearing the same

• US 4,874,331 A
• Filed: 05/09/1988
• Issued: 10/17/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Meggitt Safety Systems, Inc. (Meggitt PLC)
• Original Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation (Meggitt PLC)
• Inventors: Iverson, Ralph
• Primary Examiner(s): Paumen, Gary F.
• Application Number:
  US07/220,864
• Time in Patent Office: 526 Days
• Field of Search: 439/445-449, 439/452, 439/470, 439/583, 439/98, 439/610
• US Class Current: 439/449
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/59 Threaded ferrule or bolt operating in a direction parallel to the cable or wire

Abstract

The strain relief device is used in combination with a metal electronic cable-connector assembly for high temperature applications and high mechanical shock application. The strain relief shrouds and protects the weld or braze between the cable and connector and also extends over a length of the cable to brace it from bending stress ad strain. The strain relief is generally hollow and tubular, an expanded end thereof being slip fitted over and/or welded to or threaded into an end of the connector and caused to extend over the cable-connector weld or braze, with a narrow end of the strain relief forming a lip surrounding the cable distal of the weld or braze to brace it. Thus, the cable and described connector end fit into the central longitudinal passageway in the strain relief and are enclosed by it. The strain relief can be in a form such that its central portion extends through a bulkhead and can be locked thereto. The strain relief lip can also be lined with one or more elastomeric pads or rings to increase resistance to mechanical shock. The strain relief is fabricated of metal or plastic or the like, depending on the application desired. Normally, the cable and connector, preferably a male-female connector, are of metal.

Claims

1. An improved electronic cable and connector assembly having a strain relief device, said assembly comprising, in combination:

(a) a metal-jacketed, semi-rigid, mineral-filled electronic cable,

(b) a metallic connector assembly, one end of which is connected to said cable, and,

(c) a hollow, generally tubular metal fitting with a central passageway extending longitudinally therethrough, an expanded end of said fitting being slip fitted over the exterior of said connector assembly adjacent to said one cable-connected end and enclosing the same, and extending over and enclosing the junction of said connector assembly and said cable, said connector assembly and said cable being joined at said junction by one of brazing and welding, said fitting also extending over and enclosing said cable to protect said junction against damage, said fitting having a reduced diameter opposite end with an extended lip of substantially uniform thickness enclosing, abutting and supporting said cable peripherally against strain at a point remote from said junction, said lip being lined with an elastomeric ring of extended surface area for high mechanical shock application.

2. The improved assembly of claim 1 wherein said fitting is adapted to extend through and be locked to a bulkhead, wherein a hollow metallic sleeve is fitted over said cable and extends into said central passageway and is welded or brazed to said cable in said passageway for improved resistance to mechanical stress.

3. The improved assembly of claim 1 wherein said elastomeric ring is flat-sided.