Bulkhead penetration system
First Claim
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.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
99 Claims
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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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:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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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. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
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55. A method for penetrating a wall with a bulkhead penetration system for feeding a cable through said wall, said method comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63)
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.
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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:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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63. The method of claim 55 further including compressing said gasket.
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64. A bulkhead penetration system for interlocking with a wall to feed a cable therethrough, the system comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80)
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81. A bulkhead penetration system for interlocking with a wall to feed a cable therethrough, the system comprising:
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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.
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82. A bulkhead penetration system for interlocking with a wall to feed a cable therethrough, the system comprising:
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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.
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83. A bulkhead penetration system for interlocking with a wall to feed a cable therethrough, the system comprising:
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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.
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84. A bulkhead penetration system for interlocking with a wall to feed a cable therethrough, the system comprising:
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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.
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85. A bulkhead penetration system for interlocking with a wall to feed a cable therethrough, the system comprising:
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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.
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86. A bulkhead penetration system for interlocking with a wall to feed a cable therethrough, the system comprising:
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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.
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87. A bulkhead penetration system for interlocking with a wall to feed a cable therethrough, the system comprising:
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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.
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88. A bulkhead penetration system for interlocking with a wall to feed a cable therethrough, the system comprising:
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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.
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89. A method for penetrating a wall with a bulkhead penetration system for feeding a cable through said wall, said method comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (90, 91)
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.
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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.
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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.
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93. A method for penetrating a wall with a bulkhead penetration system for feeding a cable through said wall, said method comprising:
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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.
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94. A method for penetrating a wall with a bulkhead penetration system for feeding a cable through said wall, said method comprising:
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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.
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95. A bulkhead penetration system for interlocking with a wall to feed a cable therethrough, the system comprising:
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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.
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96. A bulkhead penetration system for interlocking with a wall to feed a cable therethrough, the system comprising:
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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.
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97. A bulkhead penetration system for interlocking with a wall to feed a cable therethrough, the system comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (98, 99)
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Specification