Conductor clamp

• US 5,522,735 A
• Filed: 08/01/1995
• Issued: 06/04/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: OSRAM Sylvania Inc. (Ams-Osram AG)
• Original Assignee: OSRAM Sylvania Inc. (Ams-Osram AG)
• Inventors: Wright, John O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bradley, P. Austin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Byrd, Eugene G.
• Application Number:
  US08/510,083
• Time in Patent Office: 308 Days
• Field of Search: 439/540.1, 439/468, 439/374, 439/449, 439/451, 439/355, 439/445, 439/471, 439/142, 439/483
• US Class Current: 439/540.1
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/567 Traverse cable outlet or wire connection
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/40 specially adapted for high frequency
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/954 Special orientation of electrical connector

Abstract

A clamp is provided which is removably attachable relative to a connector and/or a conductor connected thereto. The clamp includes a plurality of ribs which extend in the direction of an axis of the clamp and protrude radially relative to such axis. Attachment of a respective clamp to adjacent connectors and/or conductors connected thereto such that ribs of one clamp mate or mesh with ribs of the other clamp is useful in controlling the angular disposition between the adjacent connectors and conductors connected thereto.

Claims

1. In a connector assembly comprising a first connector and a first mating connector mechanically and electrically connected thereto, and a second connector and a second mating connector mechanically and electrically connected thereto, said first connector and said second connector being electrically and mechanically connected to a first conductor and second conductor, respectively, a first clamp and a second clamp clamped to at least one of said first conductor and said first connector, and said second conductor and said second connector, respectively, wherein the improvement comprises said first clamp and said second clamp each comprising a respective first clamp member having a first axis which extends in a first direction, each first clamp member having an outer surface and a plurality of ribs extending from said outer surface, said plurality of ribs of said first clamp member of said first clamp being adjacent to and mating with said plurality of ribs of said second clamp member of said second clamp, said first clamp member of said first clamp being attached to at least one of a first length of said first conductor, and said first connector, and said first clamp member of said second clamp being attached to at least one of a first length of said second conductor, and said second connector.

2. The connector assembly of claim 1 wherein said first clamp and said second clamp each further comprise a respective second clamp member attached to a respective first clamp member and having a second axis which extends in a second direction, said second axis being oriented at an angle relative to said first axis, said second clamp member of said first clamp and said second clamp member of said second clamp being attached to a second length of said first conductor and a second length of said second conductor, respectively.

3. The connector assembly of claim 2 wherein each rib of said plurality of ribs extends in the direction of said first axis, adjacent ribs of said plurality or ribs being spaced from each other in a circumferential direction relative to said first axis.

4. The clamp of claim 3 wherein said adjacent ribs are equally spaced in said circumferential direction.

5. The clamp of claim 3 wherein each rib of said plurality of ribs is tapered radially relative to said first axis from a base to a top surface which is narrower than said base.

6. The clamp of claim 5 wherein said outer surface comprises a first opening which extends in said first direction for the length of said first clamp member.

7. The clamp of claim 3 wherein said outer surface comprises a first opening which extends in said first direction for the length of said first clamp member.

8. The clamp of claim 7 wherein said second clamp member comprises a second opening and a locking segment which is pivotal relative to said second opening for pivoting (a) in a first pivotal direction relative to said second axis to close said second opening in a first mode and (b) in an opposite second pivotal direction relative to said second axis to open said second opening in a second mode.

9. The clamp of claim 7 wherein at least said first clamp member comprises a resilient material.

10. The clamp of claim 9 wherein said outer surface has a cylindrical configuration, and further wherein said first opening has a width which is less than the diameter of a cable to be inserted into said first clamp member.