Cable connector

• US 7,500,643 B2
• Filed: 01/30/2007
• Issued: 03/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLC (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: Thomas & Betts International Incorporated (ABB Limited)
• Inventors: Michaud, Alain, Leone, Yvan
• Primary Examiner(s): Gilman; Alexander
• Application Number:
  US11/699,614
• Publication Number:
  US 20080179469A1
• Time in Patent Office: 770 Days
• Field of Search: 248/56, 248/316, 248 744- 745, 174/153.G, 241/16.PB, 241/16.R, 439/460, 439/424
• US Class Current: 248/56
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 3/10 divided, i.e. with two or more members engaging the pipe, cable or protective tubing
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0658 with means constricting the conductor-insulation H02G3/065, H02G3/0675, H02G3/0683 take precedence

Abstract

A cable connector having a generally tubular shape with a frontal portion and a rear portion is provided. The frontal portion is on a plane perpendicular to an axis with an undivided annular structure having an outer semi-conic wing that secures the cable connector to a knock-out opening prior to a cable insertion therein and an inner receptacle structure for receiving a cable in a direction that is parallel to the axis. A rear grasping portion separated into a pivoting rigid latch segment with a tightening handle for clasping against a fixed slot segment with a releasing handle for grasping the inserted cable is also provided.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a frontal portion provided on a plane perpendicular to an axis with a readily insertable undivided annular structure having a set of outer semi-conic wings that secures the apparatus to a knock-out opening prior to a cable insertion therein;

an inner passageway for passing a cable in a direction that is parallel to said axis; and

a rear grasping portion separated into a pivoting semi-rigid latch segment with a tightening handle and a fixed slot segment with a releasing handle for circumferentially grasping the inserted cable.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a first cuneus is provided along the inner perimeter of said latch segment and a second cuneus is provided on said slot segment.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said outer semi-conic wing is divided into a rigid solid semi-conic wedge and a flexible elongated semi-conic wing.

4. A process for inserting a cable into a knock-out junction box, the steps comprising:

inserting a set of semi-conic wings formed adjacent to an annular frontal portion of a cable connector through a knock-out opening to hold said cable connector within said knock-out opening;

inserting a desired length of a cable through an inner passageway of said annular frontal portion;

pivoting a tightening handle of a rigid latch segment forming a part of a rear grasping portion of said cable connector against a fixed slot segment with a releasing handle to clasp and grasp the inserted cable; and

further latching and tightening said latch segment against said slot segment.

5. A process according to claim 4, the process further comprising the step of:

releasing by pulling said releasing handle and unlatching by pulling said latch segment away from said slot segment.

6. A cable connector for providing strain relief attachment of a cable within a knock-out opening through a wall of an electrical enclosure comprising:

a one-piece generally annular body defining a cable passageway therethrough;

said body having an annular forward portion for insertion through said knock-out opening and including attachment wings for engagement with one side of said enclosure wall;

said body further including an annular rearward portion having a fixed semi-annular segment and a movable semi-annular segment, said movable segment being pivotally attached to one end of said fixed segment and being adjustably attached to the other end of said fixed segment so as to circumferentially compressibly engage said cable inserted therebetween and provide said strain relief thereabout.

7. A cable connector of claim 6 wherein said attachment wings include at least one solid wing and at least one flexible wing for resiliently securing said body to said wall of said enclosure.

8. A cable connector of claim 7 wherein said wings are arcuate.

9. A cable connector of claim 6 wherein said movable segment is pivotably attached to said fixed segment by an integral hinge.

10. A cable connector of claim 9 wherein said fixed segment includes a first handle having a slot therethrough and wherein said movable segment has a second handle having an extending projection which is insertable into the slot of said fixed segment.

11. A cable connector of claim 10 wherein said extending projection includes a toothed rack and wherein said slot includes a rib for adjustable engagement with said toothed rack.

12. A cable connector of claim 11 wherein said first handle is deflectable to release said toothed rack from said slot.

13. A cable connector of claim 11 wherein said second handle is configured to move in tandem with said toothed rack.

14. A cable connector of claim 6 wherein said body is formed from an electrically insulative material.

15. A cable connector of claim 6 wherein said fixed segment and said movable segment each include a cuneus structure thereon for engagement with said cable.