Pigtailed scotchcast assembly

• US 6,250,955 B1
• Filed: 12/17/1999
• Issued: 06/26/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David Archuleta
• Original Assignee: David Archuleta
• Inventors: Archuleta, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Sircus, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): DUVERNE, JEAN F
• Application Number:
  US09/466,707
• Time in Patent Office: 557 Days
• Field of Search: 439/502, 439/527, 439/559, 439/544, 277/602
• US Class Current: 439/502
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/622 Screw-ring or screw-casing H01R13/623 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/64 Means for preventing incorrect coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/03 Connectors arranged to contact a plurality of the conductors of a multiconductor cable , e.g. tapping connections

Abstract

A pigtailed scotchcast assembly includes a first portion adapted to have the pigtail extending from one end and a male end oriented adjacent to another end thereof. A second portion comprising a scotchcast adapted to have the electrical cable extending from one end and a female end oriented adjacent another end thereof, is also included so that the first portion and the second portion are capable of mating with one another. The pigtailed scotchcast assembly provides for the efficient exchange or replacement of pigtails from a pigtailed scotchcast assembly. The pigtailed scotchcast assembly is provided for enabling a quick and efficient exchange and replacement or replacement of pigtails from the pigtailed scotchcast assembly without wire splicing or special tools.

Claims

1. An integrated inspection apparatus for selectively housing therein an electrical cable having a plurality of conductors and terminating in a pigtail, comprising:

a first portion adapted to have said pigtail extending from one end and including a male end oriented adjacent another end thereof;

a second portion including a scotchcast adapted to have said electrical cable extending from one end and including a female end oriented adjacent another end thereof, said second portion further comprising a connection piece including a plurality of posts extending from one end and adapted to be fixedly mated to said conductors, said connection piece housing said female end adjacent another end thereof, said connection piece being adapted to be releasably mated to said another end of said scotchcast;

a slide member included on one of said connection piece and said first portion;

a keyway included on the other of said connection piece and said first portion, wherein said slide and keyway are adapted to mate with one another so as to ensure proper alignment between said male end and said female end;

a plurality of pins extending from said male end;

a plurality of pin receptacles being formed in said female end, wherein said male end and said female end are selectively engageable;

an operation ring circumscribing said first portion, said operation ring being freely rotatable about said first portion and adapted to inlcude threads inscribed about an inner periphery thereof, wherein said pins are received within said pin receptacles when said threads are brought into engagement with a plurality of matching threads inscribed about an outer periphery of said female end by selective operation of said operation ring;

a seal circumscribing said electrical cable; and

an end plug circumscribing said electrical cable for selectively engaging said one end and said seal, wherein said seal provides a water-tight barrier between said electrical cable and said end plug.

2. The integrated inspection apparatus for selectively housing therein an electrical cable having a plurality of conductors and terminating in a pigtail according to claim 1, wherein:

said connection piece includes an outwardly extending flange about the circumference thereof; and

said flange abuts said another end of said scotchcast when said connection piece is mated to said another end of said scotchcast.

3. The integrated inspection apparatus for selectively housing therein an electrical cable having a plurality of conductors and terminating in a pigtail according to claim 1, wherein:

said integrated inspection apparatus further comprises a protective sheath adapted to surround an interface between said first portion and said second portion when said first portion and said second portion are mated to one another.

4. The integrated inspection apparatus for selectively housing therein an electrical cable having a plurality of conductors and terminating in a pigtail according to claim 3, wherein:

said protective sheath is a rigid cylinder having a uniform inner diameter along its entire length.

5. The integrated inspection apparatus for selectively housing therein an electrical cable having a plurality of conductors and terminating in a pigtail according to claim 4, wherein:

said protective sheath has a uniform outer diameter which is equal to an outer diameter of said scotchcast.

6. The integrated inspection apparatus for selectively housing therein an electrical cable having a plurality of conductors and terminating in a pigtail according to claim 3, wherein:

said protective sheath is freely slidable about said first portion and is adapted to include threads inscribed about the inner periphery thereof; and

wherein said threads of said protective sheath are adapted to mate with said another end of said scotchcast when said first portion and said second portion are mated to one another.

7. The integrated inspection apparatus for selectively housing therein an electrical cable having a plurality of conductors and terminating in a pigtail according to claim 6, wherein:

an outer surface of said protective sheath is adapted to be uniformly coextensive with an outer surface of said scotchcast when said first portion and said second portion are mated to one another.

8. The integrated inspection apparatus for selectively housing therein an electrical cable having a plurality of conductors and terminating in a pigtail according to claim 7, wherein:

said scotchcast includes a wing formed on said outer surface thereof; and

said wing is adapted to include an anchor hole.

9. The integrated inspection apparatus for selectively housing therein an electrical cable having a plurality of conductors and terminating in a pigtail according to claim 1, wherein:

said seal is formed of a compressible material and is oriented between said scotchcast and said end plug.

10. The integrated inspection apparatus for selectively housing therein an electrical cable having a plurality of conductors and terminating in a pigtail according to claim 1, wherein:

said seal is formed of a compressible material and is oriented between said end plug and an end cap, said end cap selectively engaging said end plug.

11. The integrated inspection apparatus for selectively housing therein an electrical cable having a plurality of conductors and terminating in a pigtail according to claim 1, wherein:

said seal is a cylinder having a first end and a second end, said first end of said seal being oriented closer to said scotchcast than said second end of said seal; and

aid seal is tapered along its length so that an annulus adjacent said first end of said seal is greater in width than an annulus adjacent said second end of said seal.

12. The integrated inspection apparatus for selectively housing therein an electrical cable having a plurality of conductors and terminating in a pigtail according to claim 1, wherein:

an inner housing of said scotchcast is injected with a dielectric, thereby forming a hydrophobic environment; and

said electrical cable is wrapped with a tension webbing along its length thereof.

13. The integrated inspection apparatus for selectively housing therein an electrical cable having a plurality of conductors and terminating in a pigtail according to claim 1, wherein:

said integrated inspection apparatus further comprises a clamp circumscribing said electrical cable and held in tight contact thereto, said clamp oriented within said scotchcast between said one end and said another end.