Hermetically sealed electrical connection to a junction box

• US 5,939,672 A
• Filed: 03/10/1997
• Issued: 08/17/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Antronix Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Antronix Incorporated
• Inventors: Tang, Danny Q.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez, Nestor
• Assistant Examiner(s): Waks, Joseph
• Application Number:
  US08/814,491
• Time in Patent Office: 890 Days
• Field of Search: 174/50.5, 174/50.52, 174/76, 174/77 R, 439/711, 439/404, 439/936, 361/826, 361/728, 361/736, 361/752
• US Class Current: 174/50.5
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5216 characterised by the sealing material, e.g. gels or resins
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7197 with filters integral with or fitted onto contacts, e.g. tubular filters
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2107/00 Four or more poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/52 mounted in or to a panel or structure
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/2433 one part of the base being movable to push the cable into the slot
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/70 Insulation of connections end caps H01R4/22
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 15/085 for coaxial cables or hollow conductors plug and socket connections between HF conductors H01P1/04; plug and socket connections per se H01R24/38
• CPC Class Codes: H03H 1/0007 of radio frequency interference filters
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/936 Potting material or coating, e.g. grease, insulative coating, sealant or, adhesive

Abstract

In junction boxes for coupling T.V. signals and low frequency power waves on a coax line to a plurality of users, the T.V. signals are coupled via connections in a first compartment to a plurality of coax cables, and the low frequency power wave are coupled via low pass-filters to IDC connections in a second compartment.

Leads from users are passed through a chamber on the wall of the second compartment containing a self-healing, self-supporting insulating substance and attached to the IDC connectors. The IDC connectors permit the lead to be paired through them so that an installer can know when the leads are properly partitioned.

Claims

1. A chamber construction for providing a hermetic seal for leads passing therethrough comprising:

a chamber having first and second opposed spaced integral walls, a bottom and opposing end walls, said first and second walls having inside surfaces facing each other;

means defining passageways extending through said first and second walls for receiving said leads; and

an insulating, self-healing and self-supporting sealant within said chamber for providing said hermetic seal.

2. A structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sealant is a gel material.

3. A chamber construction as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means defining passageways includes funnel shaped passageways extending through an outer to an inner surface of said first and second wall, so as to aid in guiding a lead through them.

4. A chamber construction as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a layer of moisture impervious material in contact with a top surface of said sealant.

5. An electrical junction box as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sealant consists of a gel material.

6. A electrical junction box as set forth in claim 1 wherein said gel is self-healing and self-supporting.

7. An electrical junction box comprising:

a compartment having a bottom, a side wall extending from said bottom, said side wall having an outer surface and an inner surface;

a removeable cover for said compartment;

a gasket for sealing said cover to said side wall;

means defining a chamber adjacent a portion of the outer surface of said side wall, said chamber including an outer wall spaced from said side wall;

a plurality of passageways through said inner and outer surfaces of said side wall for permitting electrically insulated wires to pass through, respectively;

a plurality of passageways through inner and outer surfaces of said outer wall for permitting electrically insulated wires to pass through to opposing one'"'"'s of said plurality of passageways through said side wall, respectively, for passing said wires into said compartment;

an IDC having passageways therein and inlet ports and outlet ports for said passageways;

means for mounting said IDC within said compartment so that the inlet ports of its passageways are in registration with said passages of said side wall, respectively;

electrical terminals mounted in said compartment;

said IDC having means for respectively electrically connecting insulated wires inserted through said plurality of passageways to said electrical terminals when activated; and

an insulating gel within said chamber to hermetically seal said junction box about areas where said insulated wires pass through said outer wall and said side wall.

8. An electrical junction box as set forth in claim 7, further comprising a layer of moisture impervious material mounted in contact with a top surface of said sealant.

9. An electrical junction box as set forth in claim 7, wherein the passageways in said side wall of said junction box and the passageways in said IDC are aligned when said IDC is in an open condition for receiving an insulated conductor.