Connector for use with multiple sizes of cables

• US 5,951,327 A
• Filed: 09/29/1997
• Issued: 09/14/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLC (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: Thomas & Betts International Incorporated (ABB Limited)
• Inventors: Marik, Greg
• Primary Examiner(s): Stephan, Steven L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Byrd, Eugene G.
• Application Number:
  US08/939,258
• Time in Patent Office: 715 Days
• Field of Search: 439/610, 439/98, 439/579, 439/580, 439/583
• US Class Current: 439/607.44
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/426 Securing by a separate resilient retaining piece supported by base or case, e.g. collar or metal contact-retention clip
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5205 Sealing means between cable and housing, e.g. grommet H01R13/5221 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5837 specially adapted for accommodating various sized cables H01R13/5825 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/0527 Connection to outer conductor by action of a resilient member, e.g. spring

Abstract

A connector provides for the termination of a first electrical cable and a second electrical cable where each cable includes a plurality of conductors extending through an outer jacket. The first cable has a diameter which is larger than the second cable. An elongate gland body includes a cable receiving end, a conductor egressing end and a longitudinal center bore therethrough for receipt of the first and second cables individually. A gland nut is positioned in axial alignment with the gland body and is attachable thereto. First and second resilient sealing members are positioned between the gland body and gland nut and are resiliently deformable for effecting a cable seal. A portion of first sealing member is resiliently deformable through an opening in the gland nut and the second sealing member is urged into frictional engagement with the first sealing member upon termination of the second cable in the connector. An insert member is also provided which is positionable within the conductor egressing end of the gland body so as to accommodate and precisely locate the second cable in the connector.

Claims

1. A connector for alternatively terminating a first electrical cable and a second electrical cable each of said first and second cables including a plurality of conductors extending through an outer jacket, said outer jacket of said first cable having a diameter larger than said outer jacket of said second cable, said connector comprising:

an elongate gland body having a cable receiving end, a conductor egressing end and a longitudinal center bore therethrough for insertable receipt of said cables individually;

a gland nut having a cable passage opening therethrough in axial alignment with said gland body, said gland nut being attachable to said cable receiving end of said gland body;

first and second resilient sealing members being positioned between said gland body and said gland nut and being resiliently deformable for effecting a cable seal upon said attachment said gland nut to said cable receiving end at said gland body;

a portion of said first sealing member being resiliently deformable through said gland nut opening and a portion of said second sealing member being urged into frictional engagement with said resiliently deformed first sealing member upon said termination of said second cable in said connector.

2. A connector of claim 1 wherein said cable receiving end of said gland body is externally screw threaded and said gland nut is internally screw threaded for cooperative screw engagement.

3. A connector of claim 2 wherein said gland nut is axially movable toward said conductor egressing end of said gland body upon said cooperative screw engagement of said gland with said gland nut.

4. A connector of claim 3 wherein said first sealing member includes an annular deformable element which is radially inwardly compressible upon said screw engagement of said gland with said gland nut for sealing engagement with said cable jacket.

5. A connector of claim 4 wherein said gland body includes an inner substantially cylindrical wall having an inwardly directed shoulder portion adjacent said conductor egressing end.

6. A connector of claim 5 wherein said shoulder forms a stop for insertion of said first cable therein.

7. A connector of claim 3 wherein said gland nut includes an inwardly directed annular flange defining a gland nut opening at one end thereof.

8. A connector of claim 7 wherein said second sealing member is an annular element having a passage therethrough and is radially inwardly compressible upon said screw engagement of said gland body with said gland nut.

9. A connector of claim 8 wherein upon said termination of said second cable, said first sealing member is deformable through said passage of second sealing member.

10. A connector of claim 9 wherein said second sealing member is deformable into conformance about said gland nut flange.

11. A connector of claim 10 wherein said second sealing member is deformable through said gland nut opening.

12. A connector of claim 8 wherein upon said termination of said first cable, said first and second sealing members are deformable into sealed engagement with said cable jacket.

13. A kit of parts adapted to terminate an electrical cable having a plurality of electrical conductors extending through an elongate cable conduit, said cable conduit having alternately a first conduit diameter or a second conduit diameter less than said first, said kit of parts comprising:

a connector gland body having a cable receiving end, a conductor egressing end and a central bore therethrough, said gland body including a shoulder inwardly adjacent said conductor egressing end thereof, said shoulder adapted to engage an end of said conduit of said first diameter;

a connector gland nut for attachment to said cable receiving end of said gland body to secure said cable in said gland body;

sealing means adapted for cooperation with said gland body of said gland nut end and for sealing said cable upon attachment of said gland nut to said gland body; and

an insert member adapted for insertion into said conductor egressing end of said gland body and positioned adjacent to said gland shoulder, said insert member adapted to engage an end of said conduit of said second diameter.

14. A kit of parts of claim 13 wherein said sealing means includes a first resilient sealing bushing and a second resilient sealing bushing adapted to be positioned between said gland body and said gland nut.

15. A kit of parts of claim 13 wherein said insert member includes an end extent adapted for disposition adjacent said shoulder.

16. A kit of parts of claim 15 wherein said end extent of said insert member is adapted to form a stop for said inserted cable.

17. A kit of parts of claim 13 wherein said insert member is screw attachable to said conductor egressing end of said gland body.