Bulkhead penetration system

• US 6,215,065 B1
• Filed: 04/05/1999
• Issued: 04/10/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Andrew LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Andrew Corporation (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Cox, Albert R.
• Primary Examiner(s): REICHARD, DEAN ALAN
• Application Number:
  US09/286,077
• Time in Patent Office: 736 Days
• Field of Search: 174/65.R, 174/65.SS, 248/56
• US Class Current: 174/656
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/22 Installations of cables or lines through walls, floors or ceilings, e.g. into buildings

Abstract

A bulkhead penetration system for interlocking with a wall to feed cable therethrough is set forth. The system includes a bulkhead member having a shoulder disposed between a collar portion and a locking portion. A plurality of flexible outwardly extending fingers are formed about the locking portion with each finger having a fixed end and a retaining end. The bulkhead member interlocks with the wall such that the wall is retained between at least one of the retaining ends and the shoulder. The distances between retaining ends and the shoulder can vary such that a single system will generally interlock with walls of different thicknesses. The system further includes a boot defining a boot split and a boot bore. The boot includes an inner surface, a first sleeve portion sized to encompass the collar portion, and a second sleeve portion. A grommet defining at least one cable aperture is adapted for being received within the boot bore. Two fasteners for applying force are positioned on the boot to close the boot split and engage the system components. A gasket is removably disposed between the shoulder and retaining ends for providing a tight-fit against the wall. A method for penetrating a wall using a bulkhead penetration system that allows at least one cable to be fed through the wall is also set forth.

Claims

1. A bulkhead penetration system for interlocking with a wall to feed a cable therethrough, the system comprising:

a bulkhead member defining a bore therethrough and formed about a longitudinal axis passing through a center of said bore, said bulkhead member having an outwardly extending shoulder adjacent to a locking portion, said locking portion having a plurality of outwardly extending locking fingers, each of said locking fingers having a fixed end and a retaining end with a camming surface disposed therebetween, said retaining end being proximate to said shoulder relative to said fixed end, each of said locking fingers defining a finger length between said fixed end and said retaining end, said locking fingers being capable of deflecting independently of each other and having an undeflected position, each of said locking fingers in said undeflected position defining an angle between said finger length and said longitudinal axis, said bulkhead member interlocking with said wall such that said wall is retained between at least one of said retaining ends and said shoulder wherein said finger lengths generally vary.

2. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 1, wherein said fixed ends of said locking fingers are substantially equidistant from said shoulder.

3. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 1, wherein said finger lengths of said locking fingers are substantially equal.

4. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 1, wherein said angle of a locking finger with a shorter finger length is larger relative to an angle of said locking finger with a longer finger length.

5. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 1, wherein said angles are substantially equal.

6. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 1, wherein said bore is substantially cylindrical.

7. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 1, wherein said angles of said locking fingers are substantially equal.

8. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 1 further including a gasket disposed between said retaining ends and said shoulder for sealing engagement between said shoulder and said wall.

9. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of locking fingers includes at least two subsets of said locking fingers, each subset having at least two locking fingers wherein said retaining ends of each subset are located a substantially equal distance from said shoulder, said distance being different for each said subset.

10. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 9, wherein said fixed ends of said locking fingers are substantially equidistant from said shoulder.

11. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 9, wherein said fixed ends within each subset are located a substantially equal distance from said shoulder, said distance of said fixed ends being different for each subset.

12. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 9, wherein said finger lengths within each subset generally vary.

13. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 9, wherein said locking fingers within each subset are substantially symmetrically located about said locking portion.

14. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 9, wherein said angles of said locking fingers within each subset are substantially equal, said angles being different for each subset.

15. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 1 further including a reinforcing rib disposed at an intersection of said shoulder with said locking portion.

16. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 1, further including a sealing grommet defining at least one cable aperture.

17. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 16, further including a boot defining a radial boot split and a boot bore extending along said longitudinal axis and dimensioned, at least in part, for surroundingly receiving a portion of said bulkhead member, such that said boot has a substantially C-shaped cross-section.

18. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 17, wherein said boot further includes a first sleeve portion integral with a second sleeve portion, said second sleeve portion having an interior recess for receiving said grommet.

19. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 18, wherein said bulkhead member further includes a collar portion integral with said shoulder, said first sleeve portion being sized for encompassing said collar portion.

20. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 17, wherein said boot further includes a first and a second sealing surface at said boot split extending parallel to said longitudinal axis.

21. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 20, wherein said first sealing surface includes a tongue for mating with a groove of said second sealing surface when said boot split is closed to join said first and second sealing surfaces.

22. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 18 further including a first and second fastener for applying force to close said boot split, said first fastener being positioned on said first sleeve portion, said second fastener being positioned on said second sleeve portion.

23. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 1, wherein said shoulder further includes a skirt portion extending from said shoulder parallel to said longitudinal axis, said skirt portion having a contacting edge generally orthogonal thereto.

24. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 23, wherein said wall is retained between at least one of said retaining ends and said contacting edge.

25. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 23, wherein a gasket is disposed between said skirt portion and said locking portion.

26. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 25, wherein said skirt portion includes a width, said gasket includes a thickness greater than said width of said skirt portion.

27. A bulkhead penetration system defined about a longitudinal axis for interlocking with a wall and feeding a cable through said wall, said system comprising:

a bulkhead member defining a bore therethrough, said bulkhead member having an outwardly extending shoulder disposed between a locking portion and a collar portion, said locking portion having a plurality of outwardly extending locking fingers, each of said locking fingers having a fixed end and a retaining end with a camming surface disposed therebetween, said retaining end being proximate to said shoulder relative to said fixed end, each of said locking fingers defining a finger length between said fixed end and said retaining end, said locking fingers being capable of deflecting independently of each other and having an original undeflected position, each of said locking fingers in said undeflected position defining an angle between said finger length and said longitudinal axis, said bulkhead member interlocking with said wall such that said wall is retained between at least one of said retaining ends and said shoulder;

a boot made of resilient material defining a boot split and a boot bore therethrough along said longitudinal axis such that said boot has a substantially C-shaped cross-section, said boot having a first sleeve portion integral with a second sleeve portion, said first sleeve portion being sized for encompassing said collar portion, said boot having a first and a second sealing surface at said boot split extending parallel to said longitudinal axis, said first sealing surface engaging said second sealing surface when said boot split is joined;

a sealing grommet defining at least one cable aperture, said grommet being sized and shaped to conform with an inner surface of said second sleeve portion.

28. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 27 further including a gasket disposed between said shoulder and said retaining ends for sealing engagement of said shoulder with said wall.

29. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 27 further including a first and a second fastener for applying force to close said boot split, said first fastener being positioned on said first sleeve portion, said second fastener being positioned on said second sleeve portion.

30. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 27, wherein said first sleeve portion includes a groove for receiving a retaining rib formed in said collar portion when said collar portion is inserted into said first sleeve portion of said boot bore.

31. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 29, wherein said first sleeve portion defines a first channel for positioning said first fastener, said second sleeve portion defining a second channel for positioning said second fastener.

32. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 27, wherein a step is disposed between said first sleeve portion and said second sleeve portion.

33. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 27, wherein a plurality of cable apertures are defined by said sealing grommet, and said cable apertures have substantially the same size and shape.

34. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 27, wherein said bore of said bulkhead member and said boot bore are substantially cylindrical.

35. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 27, wherein said second sleeve portion includes an interior recess for receiving said sealing grommet.

36. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 27, wherein said first sealing surface includes a tongue for mating with a groove of said second sealing surface when said boot split is joined.

37. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 27, wherein said grommet further defines at least one grommet split extending radially from said longitudinal axis and intersecting with said at least one cable aperture for allowing said cable to be inserted into said at least one cable aperture.

38. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 27, wherein said shoulder includes a skirt portion extending from said shoulder parallel to said longitudinal axis, said skirt portion having a contacting edge generally orthogonal thereto.

39. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 38, wherein said wall is retained between at least one of said retaining ends and said contacting edge.

40. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 38, further including a gasket disposed between said skirt portion and said locking portion, said skirt portion having a width, said gasket having a thickness greater than said width of said skirt portion.

41. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 27 further including a reinforcing rib disposed at an intersection of said shoulder with said locking portion.

42. A bulkhead penetration system defined about a longitudinal axis for interlocking with a wall and feeding a cable through said wall, said system comprising:

a boot made of resilient material capable of flexing, said boot defining a radial boot split and a boot bore therethrough along said longitudinal axis such that said boot has an inner surface and a substantially C-shaped cross-section, said boot having a first sleeve portion integral with a second sleeve portion, said boot having a first and a second sealing surface extending parallel to said longitudinal axis at said boot split, said first sealing surface contacting and sealing with said second sealing surface when said boot split is joined.

43. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 42, wherein said system further includes a sealing grommet defining at least one cable aperture therein, said grommet being sized and shaped to substantially conform to said boot bore so that when said boot split is joined, said grommet sealingly engages said inner surface.

44. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 43, wherein said sealing grommet further defines at least one grommet split extending radially from said longitudinal axis and intersecting with said cable aperture for allowing a cable to be easily inserted into said cable aperture.

45. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 43, wherein said second sleeve portion includes an interior recess for receiving said sealing grommet.

46. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 42, further including a bulkhead member defining a bore therethrough, said bulkhead member having an outwardly extending shoulder disposed between a locking portion and a collar portion, said locking portion having a plurality of outwardly extending locking fingers, each of said locking fingers having a fixed end and a retaining end with a camming surface disposed therebetween, said retaining end being proximate to said shoulder relative to said fixed end, each of said locking fingers defining a finger length between said fixed end and said retaining end, said locking fingers being capable of deflecting independently of each other and having an original undeflected position, each of said locking fingers in said undeflected position defining an angle between said finger length and said longitudinal axis, said bulkhead member interlocking with said wall such that said wall is retained between at least one of said retaining ends and said shoulder.

47. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 46, wherein said first sleeve portion is sized for encompassing said collar portion.

48. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 42, wherein said first sealing surface includes a tongue for mating with a groove formed in said second sealing surface when said boot split is joined.

49. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 46 further including a gasket disposed between said shoulder and said retaining ends for the sealing engagement of said shoulder with said wall.

50. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 49 further including a first fastener for applying force to close said boot split, said first fastener being positioned on said first sleeve portion, a second fastener for applying force to close said boot split, said second fastener being positioned on said second sleeve portion.

51. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 46, wherein said shoulder includes a skirt portion extending from said shoulder parallel to said longitudinal axis, said skirt portion having a contacting edge generally orthogonal thereto.

52. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 51, wherein said wall is retained between at least one of said retaining ends and said contacting edge.

53. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 51 further including a gasket disposed between said skirt portion and said locking portion, said skirt portion having a width, said gasket having a thickness greater than said width of said skirt portion.

54. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 46 further including a reinforcing rib disposed at an intersection of said shoulder with said locking portion.

55. A method for penetrating a wall with a bulkhead penetration system for feeding a cable through said wall, said method comprising:

passing said cable through a bore defined within a bulkhead member, said bulkhead member being formed about a longitudinal axis and having an outwardly extending shoulder disposed between a locking portion and a collar portion, said locking portion having a plurality of outwardly extending locking fingers, each of said locking fingers having a fixed end and a retaining end with a camming surface disposed therebetween, said retaining end being proximate to said shoulder relative to said fixed end, said locking fingers being capable of deflecting independently of each other and having an undeflected position;

providing a hole in said wall, said hole sized slightly larger than said bulkhead member such that said wall contacts at least one of said camming surfaces when said bulkhead member is pressed into said hole generally along said longitudinal axis and substantially perpendicular to said wall;

passing said cable through said hole;

pressing said bulkhead member into said hole generally along said longitudinal axis and substantially perpendicular to said wall such that said wall contacts at least one of said camming surfaces and such that said locking finger in contact with said wall deflects from said undeflected position;

locking said bulkhead member into position such that at least one of said locking fingers returns to a position such that said retaining end is raised relative to said fixed end to provide a detent for said wall such that said wall is retained between at least one of said retaining ends and said shoulder; and

placing a gasket between said shoulder and said retaining ends such that said gasket is disposed between said shoulder and said wall after said bulkhead member is locked into position with said wall.

56. The method of claim 55, further including placing said cable into a cable aperture defined in a sealing grommet, said sealing grommet being adapted for being received within a boot bore defined within a boot.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein said boot further defines a radial boot split extending parallel to said longitudinal axis such that said boot has a inner surface and a substantially C-shaped cross-section, said boot having a first sleeve portion integral with a second sleeve portion, said first sleeve portion being sized for encompassing said collar portion, said method further including:

placing said sealing grommet into said boot bore;

inserting said collar portion into said boot bore such that said first sleeve portion encompasses said collar portion.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein said boot further includes a first and a second sealing surface extending parallel to said longitudinal axis at said boot split, said method further including:

placing a first fastener having a first tightening mechanism around said first sleeve portion such that said first tightening mechanism is positioned adjacent to said boot split;

placing a second fastener having a second tightening mechanism around said second sleeve portion such that said second tightening mechanism is positioned adjacent to said boot split;

tightening said first and second fasteners to provide closure of said boot split and engagement of said first and second sealing surfaces.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein said first sealing surface includes a tongue for mating with a groove formed in said second sealing surface when said boot split is joined.

60. The method of claim 55, wherein said plurality of locking fingers includes at least one subset of said locking fingers, each subset having at least two locking fingers wherein said retaining ends of said subset are located a substantially equal distance from said shoulder, said distance being different for each said subset, said method further including using said bulkhead member to interlock with walls having different thicknesses corresponding with said different distances.

61. The method of claim 55 further including, prior to said locking, flexing said shoulder about an intersection of said shoulder with said locking portion.

62. The method of claim 55, wherein said shoulder further includes a skirt portion extending from said shoulder parallel to said longitudinal axis, said skirt portion having a contacting edge generally orthogonal thereto, said method further including retaining said wall between at least one of said retaining ends and said contacting edge.

63. The method of claim 55 further including compressing said gasket.

64. A bulkhead penetration system for interlocking with a wall to feed a cable therethrough, the system comprising:

a bulkhead member defining a bore therethrough and formed about a longitudinal axis passing through a center of said bore, said bulkhead member having an outwardly extending shoulder integral with a locking portion, said locking portion having a plurality of outwardly extending locking fingers, each of said locking fingers having a fixed end and a retaining end with a camming surface disposed therebetween, said retaining end being proximate to said shoulder relative to said fixed end, each of said locking fingers defining a finger length between said fixed end and said retaining end, said locking fingers being capable of deflecting independently of each other and having an undeflected position, each of said locking fingers in said undeflected position defining an angle between said finger length and said longitudinal axis, said plurality of locking fingers including at least two subsets of said locking fingers, each subset having at least two locking fingers wherein said retaining ends of said subset are located a substantially equal distance from said shoulder, said distance being different for each said subset, said bulkhead member interlocking said wall such that said wall is retained between said shoulder and said retaining ends of at least one said subset;

wherein said fixed ends of said locking fingers are substantially equidistant from said shoulder.

65. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 64, wherein said finger lengths within each subset generally vary.

66. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 64, wherein said locking fingers within each subset are substantially symmetrically located about said locking portion.

67. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 64, wherein said angles of said locking fingers within each subset are substantially equal, said angles being different for each subset.

68. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 64, further including a sealing grommet defining at least one cable aperture.

69. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 64, further including a boot defining a radial boot split and boot bore along said longitudinal axis and dimensioned, at least in part, for surroundingly receiving a portion of said bulkhead member, such that said boot has a substantially C-shaped cross-section.

70. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 69, further including a first and second fastener for applying force to close said boot split, said first fastener being positioned on said first sleeve portion, said second fastener being positioned on said second sleeve portion.

71. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 69, wherein said boot further includes a first sleeve portion integral with a second sleeve portion, said second sleeve portion having an interior recess for receiving a grommet.

72. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 71, wherein said boot further includes a first sleeve portion integral with a second sleeve portion, said second sleeve portion having an interior recess for receiving said grommet.

73. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 69, wherein said boot further includes a first and a second sealing surface at said boot split extending parallel to said longitudinal axis.

74. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 73, wherein said first sealing surface includes a tongue for mating with a groove of said second sealing surface when said boot split is joined.

75. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 64, further including a gasket disposed between said retaining ends and said shoulder for sealing engagement between said shoulder and said wall.

76. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 64, wherein said bore is substantially cylindrical.

77. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 64, wherein said shoulder includes a skirt portion extending from said shoulder parallel to said longitudinal axis, said skirt portion having a contacting edge generally orthogonal thereto.

78. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 77, wherein said wall is retained between at least one of said retaining ends and said contacting edge.

79. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 77 further including a gasket disposed between said skirt portion and said locking portion, said skirt portion having a width, said gasket having a thickness greater than said width of said skirt portion.

80. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 64 further including a reinforcing rib disposed at an intersection of said shoulder with said locking portion.

81. A bulkhead penetration system for interlocking with a wall to feed a cable therethrough, the system comprising:

a bulkhead member defining a bore therethrough and formed about a longitudinal axis passing through a center of said bore, said bulkhead member having an outwardly extending shoulder adjacent to a locking portion, said locking portion having a plurality of outwardly extending locking fingers, each of said locking fingers having a fixed end and a retaining end with a camming surface disposed therebetween, said retaining end being proximate to said shoulder relative to said fixed end, each of said locking fingers defining a finger length between said fixed end and said retaining end, said locking fingers being capable of deflecting independently of each other and having an undeflected position, each of said locking fingers in said undeflected position defining an angle between said finger length and said longitudinal axis, said bulkhead member interlocking with said wall such that said wall is retained between at least one of said retaining ends and said shoulder wherein said finger lengths generally vary;

wherein said plurality of locking fingers includes at least two subsets of said locking fingers, each subset having at least two locking fingers wherein said retaining ends of each subset are located a substantially equal distance from said shoulder, said distance being different for each said subset; and

wherein all of said fixed ends of said locking fingers are substantially equidistant from said shoulder.

82. A bulkhead penetration system for interlocking with a wall to feed a cable therethrough, the system comprising:

a bulkhead member defining a bore therethrough and formed about a longitudinal axis passing through a center of said bore, said bulkhead member having an outwardly extending shoulder adjacent to a locking portion, said locking portion having a plurality of outwardly extending locking fingers, each of said locking fingers having a fixed end and a retaining end with a camming surface disposed therebetween, said retaining end being proximate to said shoulder relative to said fixed end, each of said locking fingers defining a finger length between said fixed end and said retaining end, said locking fingers being capable of deflecting independently of each other and having an undeflected position, each of said locking fingers in said undeflected position defining an angle between said finger length and said longitudinal axis, said bulkhead member interlocking with said wall such that said wall is retained between at least one of said retaining ends and said shoulder wherein said finger lengths generally vary;

wherein said plurality of locking fingers includes at least two subsets of said locking fingers, each subset having at least two locking fingers wherein said retaining ends of said subset are located a substantially equal distance from said shoulder, said distance being different for each said subset; and

wherein all of said finger lengths within said subset generally vary.

83. A bulkhead penetration system for interlocking with a wall to feed a cable therethrough, the system comprising:

a bulkhead member defining a bore therethrough and formed about a longitudinal axis passing through a center of said bore, said bulkhead member having an outwardly extending shoulder adjacent to a locking portion, said locking portion having a plurality of outwardly extending locking fingers, each of said locking fingers having a fixed end and a retaining end with a camming surface disposed therebetween, said retaining end being proximate to said shoulder relative to said fixed end, each of said locking fingers defining a finger length between said fixed end and said retaining end, said locking fingers being capable of deflecting independently of each other and having an undeflected position, each of said locking fingers in said undeflected position defining an angle between said finger length and said longitudinal axis, said bulkhead member interlocking with said wall such that said wall is retained between at least one of said retaining ends and said shoulder wherein said finger lengths generally vary;

wherein said plurality of locking fingers includes at least two subsets of said locking fingers, each subset having at least two locking fingers wherein said retaining ends of said subset are located a substantially equal distance from said shoulder, said distance being different for each said subset;

wherein all of said angles of said locking fingers within said subset are substantially equal, said angels being different for each subset.

84. A bulkhead penetration system for interlocking with a wall to feed a cable therethrough, the system comprising:

a bulkhead member defining a bore therethrough and formed about a longitudinal axis passing through a center of said bore, said bulkhead member having an outwardly extending shoulder adjacent to a locking portion, said locking portion having a plurality of outwardly extending locking fingers, each of said locking fingers having a fixed end and a retaining end with a camming surface disposed therebetween, said retaining end being proximate to said shoulder relative to said fixed end, each of said locking fingers defining a finger length between said fixed end and said retaining end, said locking fingers being capable of deflecting independently of each other and having an undeflected position, each of said locking fingers in said undeflected position defining an angle between said finger length and said longitudinal axis, said bulkhead member interlocking with said wall such that said wall is retained between at least one of said retaining ends and said shoulder wherein said finger lengths generally vary;

a sealing grommet defining at least one cable aperture;

a boot defining a radial boot split and a boot bore extending along said longitudinal axis and dimensioned, at least in part, for surroundingly receiving a portion of said bulkhead member, such that said boot has a substantially C-shaped cross-section;

wherein said boot further includes a first sleeve portion integral with a second sleeve portion, said second sleeve portion having an interior recess for receiving said grommet;

and wherein said bulkhead member further includes a collar portion integral with said shoulder, said first sleeve portion being sized for encompassing said collar portion.

85. A bulkhead penetration system for interlocking with a wall to feed a cable therethrough, the system comprising:

a bulkhead member defining a bore therethrough and formed about a longitudinal axis passing through a center of said bore, said bulkhead member having an outwardly extending shoulder adjacent to a locking portion, said locking portion having a plurality of outwardly extending locking fingers, each of said locking fingers having a fixed end and a retaining end with a camming surface disposed therebetween, said retaining end being proximate to said shoulder relative to said fixed end, each of said locking fingers defining a finger length between said fixed end and said retaining end, said locking fingers being capable of deflecting independently of each other and having an undeflected position, each of said locking fingers in said undeflected position defining an angle between said finger length and said longitudinal axis, said bulkhead member interlocking with said wall such that said wall is retained between at least one of said retaining ends and said shoulder wherein said finger lengths generally vary;

a sealing grommet defining at least one cable aperture;

a boot defining a radial boot split and a boot bore extending along said longitudinal axis and dimensioned, at least in part, for surroundingly receiving a portion of said bulkhead member, such that said boot has a substantially C-shaped cross-section;

wherein said boot further includes a first and a second sealing surface at said boot split extending parallel to said longitudinal axis; and

wherein said first sealing surface includes a tongue for mating with a groove of said second sealing surface when said boot split is closed to join said first and second sealing surfaces.

86. A bulkhead penetration system for interlocking with a wall to feed a cable therethrough, the system comprising:

a bulkhead member defining a bore therethrough and formed about a longitudinal axis passing through a center of said bore, said bulkhead member having an outwardly extending shoulder adjacent to a locking portion, said locking portion having a plurality of outwardly extending locking fingers, each of said locking fingers having a fixed end and a retaining end with a camming surface disposed therebetween, said retaining end being proximate to said shoulder relative to said fixed end, each of said locking fingers defining a finger length between said fixed end and said retaining end, said locking fingers being capable of deflecting independently of each other and having an undeflected position, each of said locking fingers in said undeflected position defining an angle between said finger length and said longitudinal axis, said bulkhead member interlocking with said wall such that said wall is retained between at least one of said retaining ends and said shoulder wherein said finger lengths generally vary;

a sealing grommet defining at least one cable aperture;

a boot defining a boot split and a boot bore extending radially along said longitudinal axis, such that said boot has a substantially C-shaped cross-section;

wherein said boot further includes a first sleeve portion integral with a second sleeve portion, said second sleeve portion having an interior recess for receiving said grommet; and

a first and a second fastener for applying force to close said boot split, said first fastener being positioned on said first sleeve portion, said second fastener being positioned on said second sleeve portion.

87. A bulkhead penetration system for interlocking with a wall to feed a cable therethrough, the system comprising:

a bulkhead member defining a bore therethrough and formed about a longitudinal axis passing through a center of said bore, said bulkhead member having an outwardly extending shoulder adjacent to a locking portion, said locking portion having a plurality of outwardly extending locking fingers, each of said locking fingers having a fixed end and a retaining end with a camming surface disposed therebetween, said retaining end being proximate to said shoulder relative to said fixed end, each of said locking fingers defining a finger length between said fixed end and said retaining end, said locking fingers being capable of deflecting independently of each other and having an undeflected position, each of said locking fingers in said undeflected position defining an angle between said finger length and said longitudinal axis, said bulkhead member interlocking with said wall such that said wall is retained between at least one of said retaining ends and said shoulder wherein said finger lengths generally vary;

further including a gasket disposed between said retaining ends and said shoulder for sealing engagement between said shoulder and said wall.

88. A bulkhead penetration system for interlocking with a wall to feed a cable therethrough, the system comprising:

a bulkhead member defining a bore therethrough and formed about a longitudinal axis passing through a center of said bore, said bulkhead member having an outwardly extending shoulder adjacent to a locking portion, said locking portion having a plurality of outwardly extending locking fingers, each of said locking fingers having a fixed end and a retaining end with a camming surface disposed therebetween, said retaining end being proximate to said shoulder relative to said fixed end, each of said locking fingers defining a finger length between said fixed end and said retaining end, said locking fingers being capable of deflecting independently of each other and having an undeflected position, each of said locking fingers in said undeflected position defining an angle between said finger length and said longitudinal axis, said bulkhead member interlocking with said wall such that said wall is retained between at least one of said retaining ends and said shoulder wherein said finger lengths generally vary;

wherein said shoulder further includes a skirt portion extending from said shoulder along said longitudinal axis, said skirt portion having a contacting edge generally orthogonal thereto.

89. A method for penetrating a wall with a bulkhead penetration system for feeding a cable through said wall, said method comprising:

passing said cable through a bore defined within a bulkhead member, said bulkhead member being formed about a longitudinal axis and having an outwardly extending should disposed between a locking portion and a collar portion, said locking portion having a plurality of outwardly extending locking fingers, each of said locking fingers having a fixed end and a retaining end with a camming surface disposed therebetween, said retaining end being proximate to said shoulder relative to said fixed end, said locking fingers being capable of deflecting independently of each other and having an undeflected position;

providing a hole in said wall, said hole sized slightly larger than said bulkhead member such that said wall contacts at least one of said camming surfaces when said bulkhead member is pressed into said hole generally along said longitudinal axis and substantially perpendicular to said wall;

passing said cable through said hole;

pressing said bulkhead member into said hole generally along said longitudinal axis and substantially perpendicular to said wall such that said wall contacts at least one of said camming surfaces and such that said locking finger in contact with said wall deflects from said undeflected position;

locking said bulkhead member into position such that at least one of said locking fingers returns to a position such that said retaining end is raised relative to said fixed end to provide a detent for said wall is retained between at least one said retaining ends and said shoulder;

placing said cable into a cable aperture defined in a sealing grommet, said sealing grommet being adapted for being received within a boot bore defined within a boot;

wherein said boot further defines a radial boot split extending said longitudinal axis such that said boot has an inner surface and a substantially C-shaped cross-section, said boot having a first sleeve portion integral with a second sleeve portion, said first sleeve portion being sized for encompassing said collar portion, said method further including;

placing said sealing grommet into said boot bore;

inserting said collar portion into said boot bore such that said first sleeve portion encompasses said collar portion.

90. The method of claim 89, wherein said boot further includes a first and a second sealing surface extending parallel to said longitudinal axis at said boot split, said method further including:

placing a first fastener having a first tightening mechanism around said first sleeve portion such that said first tightening mechanism is positioned adjacent to said boot split;

placing a second fastener having a second tightening mechanism around said second sleeve potion such that said second tightening mechanism is positioned adjacent to said boot split; and

tightening said first and second fasteners to provide closure of said boot split and engagement of said first and second sealing surfaces.

91. The method of claim 90, wherein said first sealing surface includes a tongue for mating with a groove formed in said second sealing surface when said boot split is joined.

92. A method for penetrating a wall with a bulkhead penetration system for feeding a cable through said wall, wherein said plurality of locking fingers includes at least two subsets of said locking fingers, each subset having at least two locking fingers wherein all of said retaining ends of said subset are located a substantially equal distance from said shoulder, said distance being different for each said subset, said method further including using said bulkhead member to interlock with walls having different thicknesses corresponding with said different distances.

93. A method for penetrating a wall with a bulkhead penetration system for feeding a cable through said wall, said method comprising:

passing said cable through a bore defined within a bulkhead member, said bulkhead member being formed about a longitudinal axis and having an outwardly extending shoulder disposed between a locking portion and a collar portion, said locking portion having a plurality of outwardly extending locking fingers, each of said locking fingers having a fixed end and a retaining end with a camming surface disposed therebetween, said retaining end being proximate to said shoulder relative to said fixed end, said locking fingers being capable of deflecting independently of each other and having an undeflected position;

providing a hole in said wall, said hole sized slightly larger than said bulkhead member such that said wall contacts at least one of said camming surfaces when said bulkhead member is pressed into said hole generally along said longitudinal axis and substantially perpendicular to said wall;

passing said cable through said hole;

pressing said bulkhead member into said hole generally along said longitudinal axis and substantially perpendicular to said wall such that said wall contacts at least one of said camming surfaces and such that said locking finger in contact with said wall deflects from said undeflected position;

locking said bulkhead member into position such that at least one of said locking fingers returns to a position such that said retaining end is raised relative to said fixed end to provide a detent for said wall such that said wall is retained between at least one of said retaining ends and said shoulder;

placing a gasket between said shoulder and said retaining ends such that said gasket is disposed between said shoulder and said wall after said bulkhead member is locked into position with said wall; and

prior to said locking, flexing said shoulder about an intersection of said shoulder with said locking portion.

94. A method for penetrating a wall with a bulkhead penetration system for feeding a cable through said wall, said method comprising:

passing said cable through a bore defined within a bulkhead member, said bulkhead member being formed about a longitudinal axis and having an outwardly extending shoulder disposed between a locking portion and a collar portion, said locking portion having a plurality of outwardly extending locking fingers, each of said locking fingers having a fixed end and a retaining end with a camming surface disposed therebetween, said retaining end being proximate to said shoulder relative to said fixed end, said locking fingers being capable of deflecting independently of each other and having an undeflected position;

providing a hole in said wall, said hole sized slightly larger than said bulkhead member such that said wall contacts at least one of said camming surfaces when said bulkhead member is pressed into said hole generally along said longitudinal axis and substantially perpendicular to said wall;

passing said cable through said hole;

pressing said bulkhead member into said hole generally along said longitudinal axis and substantially perpendicular to said wall such that said wall contacts at least one of said camming surfaces and such that said locking finger in contact with said wall deflects from said undeflected position;

locking said bulkhead member into position such that at least one of said locking fingers returns to a position such that said retaining end is raised relative to said fixed end to provide a detent for said wall such that said wall is retained between at least one of said retaining ends and said shoulder;

placing a gasket between said shoulder and said retaining ends such that said gasket is disposed between said shoulder and said wall after said bulkhead member is locked into position with said wall; and

wherein said shoulder further includes a skirt portion extending from said shoulder parallel to said longitudinal axis, said skirt portion having a contacting edge generally orthogonal thereto, said method further including retaining said wall between at least one of said retaining ends and said contacting edge.

95. A bulkhead penetration system for interlocking with a wall to feed a cable therethrough, the system comprising:

a bulkhead member defining a bore therethrough and formed about a longitudinal axis passing through a center of said bore, said bulkhead member having an outwardly extending shoulder integral with a locking portion, said locking portion having a plurality of outwardly extending locking fingers, each of said locking fingers having a fixed end and a retaining end with a camming surface disposed therebetween, said retaining end being proximate to said shoulder relative to said fixed end, each of said locking fingers defining a finger length between said fixed end and said retaining end, said locking fingers being capable of deflecting independently of each other and having an undeflected position, each of said locking fingers in said undeflected position defining an angle between said finger length and said longitudinal axis, said plurality of locking fingers including at least two subsets of said locking fingers, each subset having at least two locking fingers wherein said retaining ends of said subset are located a substantially equal distance from said shoulder, said distance being different for each said subset, said bulkhead member interlocking said wall such that said wall is retained between said shoulder and said retaining ends of at least one said subset;

further including a boot defining a radial boot split and boot bore along said longitudinal axis and dimensioned, at least in part, for surroundingly receiving a portion of said bulkhead member, such that said boot has a substantially C-shaped cross-section; and

further including a first and second fastener for applying force to close said boot split, said first fastener being positioned on said first sleeve portion, said second fastener being positioned on said second sleeve portion.

96. A bulkhead penetration system for interlocking with a wall to feed a cable therethrough, the system comprising:

a bulkhead member defining a bore therethrough and formed about a longitudinal axis passing through a center of said bore, said bulkhead member having an outwardly extending shoulder integral with a locking portion, said locking portion having a plurality of outwardly extending locking fingers, each of said locking fingers having a fixed end and a retaining end with a camming surface disposed therebetween, said retaining end being proximate to said shoulder relative to said fixed end, each of said locking fingers defining a finger length between said fixed end and said retaining end, said locking fingers being capable of deflecting independently of each other and having an undeflected position, each of said locking fingers in said undeflected position defining an angle between said finger length and said longitudinal axis, said plurality of locking fingers including at least two subsets of said locking fingers, each subset having at least two locking fingers wherein said retaining ends of said subset are located a substantially equal distance from said shoulder, said distance being different for each said subset, said bulkhead member interlocking said wall such that said wall is retained between said shoulder and said retaining ends of at least one said subset;

further including a gasket disposed between said retaining ends and said shoulder for sealing engagement between said shoulder and said wall.

97. A bulkhead penetration system for interlocking with a wall to feed a cable therethrough, the system comprising:

a bulkhead member defining a bore therethrough and formed about a longitudinal axis passing through a center of said bore, said bulkhead member having an outwardly extending shoulder integral with a locking portion, said locking portion having a plurality of outwardly extending locking fingers, each of said locking fingers having a fixed end and a retaining end with a camming surface disposed therebetween, said retaining end being proximate to said shoulder relative to said fixed end, each of said locking fingers defining a finger length between said fixed end and said retaining end, said locking fingers being capable of deflecting independently of each other and having an undeflected position, each of said locking fingers in said undeflected position defining an angle between said finger length and said longitudinal axis, said plurality of locking fingers including at least two subsets of said locking fingers, each subset having at least two locking fingers wherein said retaining ends of said subset are located a substantially equal distance from said shoulder, said distance being different for each said subset, said bulkhead member interlocking said wall such that said wall is retained between said shoulder and said retaining ends of at least one said subset;

wherein said shoulder includes a skirt portion extending from said shoulder parallel to said longitudinal axis, said skirt portion having a contacting edge generally orthogonal thereto.

98. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 97, wherein said wall is retained between at least one of said retaining ends and said contracting edge.

99. The bulkhead penetration system of claim 97 further including a gasket disposed between said skirt portion and said locking portion, said skirt portion having a width, said gasket having a thickness greater than said width of said skirt portion.