Joints and connections – Interfitted members – Assembled by plural manipulations of member
Patent
1991-09-26
1993-09-21
Reese, Randolph A.
Joints and connections
Interfitted members
Assembled by plural manipulations of member
403302, 403 78, 403212, 24702, 24590, 24687, F16G 1114
Patent
active
052463036
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a connector device for metal cables, particularly applicable to metal control cables which are used without a protective sheath in the motor industry.
The use of metal cables, with or without a protective sheath, for the transmission of force from the control mechanism of motor vehicles is widespread. As a particular case, there is cited the metal cable connecting the actuating mechanism of the vehicle parking brake, also known as emergency brake and handbrake, with the brake mechanism as such which, unlike the footbrake, is actuated once the vehicle has come to a stop. This metal linking cable is generally formed by a single stretch of cable provided at both free ends thereof with the corresponding terminals, adapted to each particular application and which are connected to the said mechanisms. The current trends in vehicle manufacturing processes impose the need for said metal cable to be formed by two independent portions of cable which may be installed and connected together in different stages of the vehicle assembly process. Furthermore the fact that the metal linking cable is formed by a single portion requires the replacement of the whole cable in the case of breakage or wear, which involves a financial cost in any case higher than the cost of replacing a single portion of cable if the link between the said mechanisms were formed by two independent cable portions.
Spanish patent P8803454, "Connector device for two control semicables" discloses a device having a tubular retaining body housing the ends of two portions of metal cable provided with corresponding terminals which may be coupled together. Nevertheless, this solution is rather complicated in manufacturing and assembly, requires an additional mechanical security member and is relatively expensive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an connector device for metal cables, particularly for connecting two portions of a metal cable which connects together an actuating mechanism of a vehicle parking brake, which provides ease of assembly and low cost.
In keeping with these objects and with others which will become apparent hereinafter, one feature of the present invention resides, briefly stated, in a connector device which includes a connector member and a coupling terminal which are firmly attached to corresponding free ends of different portions of metal cable, and the connector member being formed by a main body of hollow structure provided with retaining means for the coupling terminal and by a clamping bushing, while the coupling terminal is formed by a solid connector body.
It is a further feature of the connector device for metal cables of the invention that the main body forming the connector member is made in a single piece and is T-shaped. The arms of said T define a tubular housing for receiving the coupling terminal and comprise the retaining means for said coupling terminal, while the extension of the main body which is perpendicular to said arms defines in turn a longitudinal housing which locates one end of the cable portion thereof. The metal cable end portion is firmly attached to the main body by the action of a clamping bushing concentrically disposed around said main body extension.
The connector device for metal cables of the invention is also characterised in that the coupling terminal retaining means, with which the main body of the connector member is provided, is formed by a slot passing through the wall of the tubular housing in an angular fashion and open at one of the ends thereof. The slot has a width slightly greater than the diameter of the metal cable portion to which the coupling terminal is attached, to slide snugly therealong until said terminal attains the final position of connection.
It is a further feature of the connector device for metal cables of the invention that the coupling terminal is formed by an essentially cylindrical solid connector body, the dimensions of which correspond snugl
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Solano Victorino
Trilla Antonio
Kim Harry C.
Pujol Y Tarrago, S.A.
Reese Randolph A.
Striker Michael J.
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