Electrical connectors – With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in... – Retaining means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-27
2001-06-19
Sircus, Brian (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in...
Retaining means
C439S281000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06247956
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to electrical connectors and, more particularly, is directed towards a releasable and replaceable quick connect and quick disconnect apparatus for electrical connectors.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Electrical applications require connector assemblies capable of coupling both wire and cable with minimal detriment to electrical efficiency and signal transmission.
A wide variety of connector assemblies are currently available in the prior art. Several currently available connector assemblies permit the fast and efficient connection and disconnection of sections of wire and cable substrates. Typically, these assemblies utilize threaded, or spring-loaded, mating components. In order to utilize these connector assemblies, mating connectors are brought into alignment and the juxtaposed mating components are then screwed, or latched, together. The process of threading or latching is reversed in order to separate the sections of the wire or cable substrate.
Although effective in most applications, currently available connector assemblies frequently suffer from two primary limitations. First, the threading and latching systems typically utilized by these assemblies can be difficult to manipulate in a confined area. For example, the limited space of a junction box or closely stacked electronic boards can make accurate alignment, and subsequent manipulation of a threaded, or spring-loaded, system extremely difficult. Second, threaded and spring-loaded systems are susceptible to becoming loosened, or even disconnected, due to exposure to external vibration. To counteract these limitations, some connector assemblies include a locking system associated with the threaded or spring-loaded systems. Although effective, this additional locking system can increase even further the problems associated with manipulation of the entire connector assembly.
A need exists for an improved apparatus that does not suffer from the limitations and disadvantages of prior devices. In particular, a need exists for an improved wire or cable connector assembly that can be quickly engaged and released.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector assembly which does not suffer from the foregoing disadvantages and limitations.
It is another object of the invention to provide an apparatus and method that can be used with a variety of wire or cable connectors.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide an apparatus for interconnecting wire or cable that is simple in construction and compact in design.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for interconnecting wire or cable that is easily and economically produced, and readily assembled.
Other general and specific objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.
The invention is generally characterized by a connector assembly having a body, an engagement element, and a retaining element. The engagement element includes an inner gripping element having a ramp portion on an outer surface thereof and an outer actuation element having a ramp portion on an inner surface thereof. The inner gripping element is telescopically received in the outer actuation element. The ramp portion of the inner gripping element and the ramp portion of the outer actuation element are complementary and in juxtaposition to one another. The retaining element rotatably secures the inner gripping element on the body.
The body is configured to be removably and releasably connected to a complementarily configured mating connector assembly. The body includes a first end configured to rotatably receive the engagement element and a second end affixed to a given wire or cable substrate. The first end of the body typically includes a groove that is sized and shaped to receive the retaining element described in detail below. Both the first end and the second end of the body typically have a cylindrical cross-sectional configuration. Cylindrical cross-section configurations for the ends of the body are desired as they facilitate securing the engagement element, or wire or cable substrate, to the body.
The inner gripping element of the engagement element has a first open end and a second open end joined by a passage. The passage joining the first open end to the second open end is defined by a series of four inner wall surfaces. The passage generally includes a groove which is configured to receive at least a portion of the retaining element. The inner wall surfaces of the passage are all coaxially and concentrically aligned along an axis. An outer wall surface defines the exterior of the inner gripping element. The ramp portion of the outer wall surface of the gripping element is configured so as to be capable of interferingly engaging the ramp portion formed in the inner wall surface of the outer actuation element. The inner gripping element typically includes a series of flexible fingers or tang elements. The inner gripping element is typically manufactured from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), commonly known as Teflon.
The outer actuation element of the engagement element is configured to telescopically receive the inner gripping element. The inner gripping element is captively held in the outer actuation element and is constrained for slidable and rotatable movement relative to the outer actuation element. The outer actuation element has a first open end and a second open end joined by a passage. This passage is also defined by a series of inner wall surfaces. In order to facilitate interfering engagement of the outer actuation element with the inner gripping element, the inner wall surfaces of the outer actuation element include at least one ramp portion that is complementary to the ramp portion of the outer wall surface of the inner gripping element. Movement of the ramp portion on the outer actuation element relative to the ramp portion on the inner gripping element forces the flexible tang elements inwardly. The outer actuation element also includes an outer wall surface having a series of ridges and grooves which define a purchase for moving the outer actuation element. The outer actuation element can be manufactured from virtually any high strength metallic, plastic, or composite material exhibiting the desired mechanical strength characteristics.
The retaining element secures the inner gripping element of the engagement element to the body, the outer actuation element being captively held to the inner gripping element. The retaining element has an inner portion and an outer portion. The inner portion of the retaining element is positioned in the groove formed in the body. The outer portion of the retaining element is received in the groove formed in the inner gripping element of the engagement element. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the retaining element has a rectilinear cross-sectional configuration. Depending upon the application in which the connector assembly of the invention is to be utilized, the retaining element can be formed from either a metal substrate or an elastically deformable substrate.
The invention also contemplates a method of attaching, and detaching, the connector assembly of the invention from a mating connector assembly.
To attach the connector assembly of the invention to a mating connector assembly, the outer actuation element is first moved rearwardly over the inner gripping element, the ramp portions of the actuation element and the gripping element being juxtaposed substantially in space registration. The mating connector assembly is then inserted into the passage of the inner gripping element. Next, the outer actuation element is moved forwardly relative to the inner gripping element. As a result of this movement, the ramp portion of the outer actuation element is slidably urged against the ramp portion of the inner gripping element, thereby moving the tang elements inwardly into gripping contact with the outer surface of the mating connector
Bello Herbert L.
Nasri Javaid
Sircus Brian
Tensolite Company
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