Connector adapter

• US 7,249,540 B1
• Filed: 07/01/2005
• Issued: 07/31/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration US Government As Represented By The Administrator of The
• Original Assignee: United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration
• Inventors: Hacker, Scott C., Dartez, Toby W., Burge, Scott W., Dean, Richard J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hail, III; Joseph J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MULLER, BRYAN R
• Application Number:
  US11/177,652
• Time in Patent Office: 760 Days
• Field of Search: 811/242, 81/65, 814/38, 814/39, 811/25, 814/51, 279/42, 279/52, 483/20
• US Class Current: 81/124.5
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 13/06 of socket type
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 13/48 for special purposes
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/0425 with mandrels actuated in axial direction to the wire
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/0521 Connection to outer conductor by action of a nut
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 279/17299 Threaded cam sleeve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 279/17538 Threaded-sleeve actuator

Abstract

An adapter for installing a connector to a terminal post, wherein the connector is attached to a cable, is presented. In an embodiment, the adapter is comprised of an elongated collet member having a longitudinal axis comprised of a first collet member end, a second collet member end, an outer collet member surface, and an inner collet member surface. The inner collet member surface at the first collet member end is used to engage the connector. The outer collet member surface at the first collet member end is tapered for a predetermined first length at a predetermined taper angle. The collet includes a longitudinal slot that extends along the longitudinal axis initiating at the first collet member end for a predetermined second length. The first collet member end is formed of a predetermined number of sections segregated by a predetermined number of channels and the longitudinal slot.

Claims

1. A method for installing a connector at the end of a cable on a terminal post comprising the steps of:

providing an adapter comprised of;

an elongated body member having a first longitudinal axis comprised of;

a first body member end,

a second body member end,

an outer body member surface, and

an inner body member surface,

wherein the inner body member surface at the first body member end is tapered for a predetermined first length at a predetermined first taper angle, and

wherein a first longitudinal slot extends along the first longitudinal axis initiating at the first body member end for a predetermined second length,

an elongated collet member coupled to the body member wherein the collet member has a second longitudinal axis comprised of;

a first collet member end,

a second collet member end,

an outer collet member surface, and

an inner collet member surface,

wherein the outer collet member surface is positioned inside the inner body member surface in longitudinal spaced relation,

wherein the inner collet member surface at the first collet member end is used to engage the connector,

wherein the outer collet member surface at the first collet member end is tapered for a predetermined third length at a predetermined second taper angle,

wherein a second longitudinal slot extends along the second longitudinal axis initiating at the first collet member end for a predetermined fourth length,

wherein the second longitudinal slot is substantially aligned with the first longitudinal slot,

wherein the first collet member end is formed of a predetermined number of sections segregated by a predetermined number of channels and the second longitudinal slot, and

wherein the second collet member end extends past the second body member end in longitudinal space relation for a predetermined fifth length, and

a locking nut coupled to the collet member;

threading in the cable through the first and second longitudinal slots of the adapter;

positioning the connector in the first collet member end such that the first collet member end substantially engages the connector;

activating the locking nut such that the collet member and body member are simultaneously moved in opposite longitudinal directions and such that a desired compressive load is applied to the connector to secure the connector to the collet member at the first collet member end;

installing the connector on the terminal post;

de-activating the locking nut to release the compressive load on the connector;

disengaging the connector from the collet member at the first collet member end; and

threading out the cable from the first and second longitudinal slots.

2. The method as in claim 1, wherein the step of installing the connector is comprised of the following substeps:

positioning the connector in close proximity to the terminal post in longitudinal spaced relation;

first tightening the connector to the terminal post using the adapter until resistance from the terminal post is sensed;

attaching a torque driver to the adapter at the second collet member end wherein the second collet member end is formed of a means for engaging a tool; and

second tightening the connector to the terminal post using the torque driver attached to the adapter to a predetermined torque limit.

3. The method as in claim 1, wherein, in the step of providing an adapter, the body member'"'"'s outer body member surface and collet member'"'"'s outer collet member surface are substantially cylindrical in shape.

4. The method as in claim 1, wherein, in the step of providing an adapter, the second taper angle is greater than the first taper angle.

5. The method as in claim 1, wherein, in the step of providing an adapter, the second collet member end is formed of a means for attaching a second adapter or tool.

6. The method as in claim 5, wherein the step of installing the connector is comprised of the following substeps:

positioning the connector in close proximity to the terminal post in longitudinal spaced relation;

providing a tool comprised of a wrench;

attaching the wrench to the adapter at the second collet member end; and

tightening the connector to the terminal post using the wrench attached to the adapter until a desired resistance is sensed.

7. The method as in claim 1, wherein, in the step of providing an adapter, the adapter is further comprised of a means for gripping installed along the inner collet member surface at the first collet member end.

8. The method as in claim 1, wherein, in the step of providing an adapter, the adapter is further comprised of a means for limiting the locking nut in longitudinal spaced relation.