US3183302A

US3183302A - Cover for an electrical connector

Info

Publication number: US3183302A
Application number: US164746A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles J Wochner; John A Toedtman
Original assignee: JASPER BLACKBURN CORP
Current assignee: JASPER BLACKBURN CORP
Priority date: 1962-01-08
Filing date: 1962-01-08
Publication date: 1965-05-11
Anticipated expiration: 1982-05-11

Description

y 1965 c. .1. WOCHNER ET AL 3,

COVER FOR AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR Filed Jan. 8, 1962 m 3 RMM m w M m Pm VJ M T Fa N 1 T 4 PLEA A 2 L T N MH %3 Cw 3 1 Y 7 B (I! Q I L )2 W 3 l 2 United States Patent 3,183,302 COVER FOR AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR Charles J. Wochner, Florissaut, and John A. Toedtrnan, Warson Woods, Mo., assignors to Jasper Blackburn Corporation, St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Filed Jan. 8, 1962, Ser. No. 164,746 2 Claims. (Cl. 174-138) This invention relates generally to improvements in a cover for an electrical connector, and more particularly to improvements in a device of this type which provide optimum protection from the weather, afford maximum insulation for the electrical connection, and which provide a secure, snug fit for connectors of diiferent lengths.

In forming an electrical connection, it is well known and conventional to insert a pair of stripped wires into opposite ends of a connector body and then to crimp the body on the wires by the use of a compression tool. The present cover is adapted to fit over the connector and a portion of the attached Wires so as to protect and insulate the connector and thereby provide a safe, rigid connection.

An important object is achieved by the provision of abutments Within an elongate tubular casing constituting the cover, the abutments being adapted to engage the ends of a connector to preclude any substantial relative longitudinal movement within the casing.

Another important objective is realized by providing a plurality of abutments so that the distances differ between an abutment at one end of the compartment into which the connector fits and more than one of the abutments at the opposite end of the compartment so as to accommodate connectors of diiferent lengths.

When the connector is crimped, it is difiicult to control precisely the extent of end-wise extrusion or expansion of the connector so that the connector will always be of a definite length when installed inside of the cover. Therefore, any variation in length is compensated for by the plurality of abutments arranged in the manner previously described so that one of the abutments engages each end of the connector to preclude any substantial relative end-wise movement.

Still another important objective is provided by making the abutments resilient so that those which are overlapped by and not engaging the ends of the connector are depressed, the overlapped resilient abutments tending to hold the connector snugly in such casing.

Yet another important object is afforded by the provision of a pair of longitudinally partitions in the casing which define a compartment for receiving the connector, these partitions can abut the connector ends and thereby determine the maximum length accommodated in the compartment.

Other important advantages are realized in that the partitions are spaced inwardly from the end walls of the casing in order to give more adequate protection to the wire portions immediately adjacent the connector ends, the partitions and end walls being provided with openings through which the wires pass.

Another important objective is achieved by disposing the resilient abutments within the compartment so that at least one abutment is adapted to engage each end of the connector when the connector is not of sufficient length to engage the partitions. This structural arrangement insures a condition in which there will be no substantial relative end-wise movement between the connector and cover.

An important object is realized by constructing the tubular casing of mating elongate sections hinged together along one side so that the sections can be opened to receive the connector and subsequently closed to retain the cover in place. Locking means is provided at the other side of the sections which is operable to hold the cover selectively in the closed position on the connector.

Another important object is achieved by the provision of resilient strips in the end Walls of the casing which extend outwardly from the openings provided therein, the strips engaging and resiliently accommodating wires of different sizes extending through such openings to provide improved insulative end supports.

It is an important objective to provide an electrical connector cover that is simple and durable in construction, economically to manufacture and assemble highly efiicient in usage and function, and which can be quickly and easily applied by anyone with only a minimum of instruction.

The foregoing and numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will more clearly appear from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, particularly when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the cover used in an electrical connection;

FIG. 2 is an end view, partly in cross section, as seen along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the cover alone as seen along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the cover showing the elongate mating sections in an open position, and

FIG. 5 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 4, but showing the insertion of the connector and its attached wires within the cover.

Referring now, by characters of reference to the drawing, and first to FIG. 5, it is seen that the electrical connection includes a pair of

wires

16 and 11 that are operatively connected together. As is conventional, the ends of the

wires

10 and 11 are stripped of insulation and are inserted into opposite ends of an elongate connector 12 that is made of an electrically conductive metal. Before final attachment, the connector 12 is of a cylindrical construction and of a substantially constant diameter. After the

wires

10 and 11 are placed in position, a suitable compression tool is fitted over the connector 12 and manipulated to crimp the connector body securely to the wire portions located internally of the body. During this crimping operation, a series of longitudinally spaced annular grooves are provided in the periphery of the connector 12. The

wires

10 and 11 are now rigidly connected together in an extremely durable union.

The electrical connection includes a cover made of an electrically insulative material fitted over the connector 12 to insulate and to provide adequate weather protection.

The cover consists of an elongate tubular casing generally indicated at 13 in FIG. 1, the casing 13 including outwardly

tapered endwalls

14 and 15. As is best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the tubular casing 13 includes a pair of elongate, mating half sections hinged together along one side by integral webs 20 that enable the

sections

16 and 17 to be moved hingedly open to the position shown in FIG. 4 and subsequently moved to a closed position as shown in FIG. 1.

The opposite side of the cover 13 is provided with a locking mechanism for selectively holding the

sections

16 and 17 in the closed position. More particularly, the locking mechanism includes a plurality of loops 21, a total of three in the preferred embodiment disclosed, along the opposite side of one section 17. Formed on the opposite side of the co-acting section 16 are a plurality of integral hooks 22 that are adapted to inter-fit the loops 21 when the

sections

16 and 17 are moved to a closed position. The hooks 22 snap under the loops 21, as is best seen in FIG. 3. It will be realized that the loops 21 are sufiiciently resilient in character so that the associated eyes can expand in size to permit the passage of the hooks 22. Of course, if desired, the hooks 22 can be conveniently disengaged from the loops 21 to permit the

sections

16 and 17 to be opened.

Each of the

sections

16 and 17 is provided with a pair of partitions 23 and 24- spaced longitudinally to provide a compartment therebetween adapted to receive the connector 12. For reasons which will appear later, the

partitions

23 and 24 are spaced inwardly of the ends walls 1 1 and 15 respectively. The

corresponding partitions

23 and 24 of the

sections

16 and 17 are in direct trans verse alignment so that such partitions form a pair of longitudinally spaced walls when the sections are closed. The

end walls

14 and 15 are each provided with a central opening 25, while the

partitions

23 and 24 are each provided with longitudinally aligned central opening 26,

such openings

25 and 26 being best illustrated in FIG. 3. When the connector 12 is placed in the compartment between the

partitions

23 and 24, and the

sections

16 and 17 are closed, it is seen that the

wires

10 and 11 extend through the

center openings

25 and 26 formed respectively in the end walls and partitions.

The

partitions

23 and 24 can engage the ends of the connector 12 and thereby define the maximum length of the connector with which the cover can be utilized. It will be readily apparent that if the connector length is sufliciently shorter than the distance between the

partitions

23 and 24 there couldbe a loose fit that would subject the connector 12 to relatively longitudinal movement Within the casing 13, such movement being objectionable if it exists to any substantial degree.

To preclude relative longitudinal shifting of the condoctor 12 when the length of the connector 12 is something less than the distance between the partitions, a

plurality of tabs constituting abutments Sil, 31, 32 and 33 are formed integrally with each of

sections

16 and 17 and are located within the compartment. Specifically,

tabs

30 and 31 are located at one end of the compartment while

tabs

32 and 33 are located at the opposite end. For reasons which will appear upon later description of the component parts, the tabs 311-33 inclusive are resilient and extend into the compartment on opposite sides of and substantially parallel to a plane passed along the longitudinal axis of each section.

From FIGS. 4 and 5, it is seen that the distances differ between more than one of the tabs at one end of the compartment and more than one of the tabs at the opposite end of the compartment so as to accommodate connectors of different lengths. For example, the distance between tab 311 and tab 32 is different from the distance between tab 311 and tab 33. Similarly, the distance between tab 31 and tab 32. is different than the distance between tab 31 and tab 33. Thus it will be realized that any pair of co-acting tabs such as tab 311 and tab 32 or 3'3, is adapted to engage the opposed ends of the connector 12, de ending upon the length of the particular connector 2 utilized.

The tabs 311453 inclusive cooperate to preclude any substantial relative longitudinal movement of the connector 12 in the casing 13. Of course, the tabs 311-33 can also cooperate with the

partitions

23 and 24, depending upon the connector length involved, to preclude longitudinal shifting of the connector 12 in a manner similar to that previously described.

Attention is directed to FIG. 5 in which it will be seen that the tab 31 engages one end of connector 12 while cooperating tab 33 engages the opposite connector end.

The tabs 311413 inclusive are resilient and can be depressed against the arcuate wall defining the casing 33. If it is assumed that the length of the connector 12 is slightly longer than that illustrated in FIG. 5, it is possible for the lefthand end of the connector to engage the tab 36 rather than the tab 31. In this event, the connector 12 will overlap the tab 31. When the

sections

16 and 17 are closed, the connector ends will depress the tabs 31.

1 Depending upon the connector length, it is seen that the tabs overlapped by and not engaging the ends of the connector 12 are resiliently depressed so that such overlapped tabs tend to hold the connector snugly in the casing 13.

Each of the

end walls

14 and 15 is provided with a plurality of resilient strips 34 extending outwardly from the openings 25 provided in the end walls. The strips 34 engage the periphery of the associated

wires

10 and 11, and because of the resilient character of such strips 34-, the strips 34 accommodate wires of different sizes extending through the openings 25 to provide support.

' Because the

end walls

14 and 15 are outwardlytapered, there is a tendency of such walls and their integral resilient strips 34 to direct moisture away from tie interior of the casing 13. Moreover, it will be noted that the

partitions

23 and 24 and the tabs 30-33 inclusive cooperate to confine the connector '12 within a definite compartment within the casing 13 and spaced a substantial distance from the

end walls

14 and 15. With this structural arrangement, the

end walls

14 and 15 engage the insulation on the

wires

10 and 11 and fully protect the stripped portions of such wires as well as the connector 12.

It is thought that the assembly and functional advantages of the cover have become fully apparent from the foregoing detailed description of parts, but for completeness of disclosure the installation of the cover will be briefly described at this point. It will be assumed that the wires 11 and '11 have been stripped, inserted into the ends of the connector 12 and that the connector 12. has been crimped by a suitable compression tool to form a rigid connection.

The casing 13 is opened as is illustrated in FIG. 5 and the connector 12 is placed Within the compartment defined by the partitions 2/3 and 24.

Depending upon the particular length of the connector 12 used, the

partitions

23 and 24 or the tabs SW33 inclusive or any combination thereof will engage the opposite ends of the connector 12. The

wires

10 and 11 will extend through the

partitions

23 and 24 and through the

end walls

14 and 15.

The

casing sections

16 and 17 are closed over the connector 12 as permitted by the hinged webs 20. As the overlapped by the connector 12 are depressed and act resiliently to hold the connector 12'snugly in place. Cooperating with the depressed tabs, those tabs, partitions or combination thereof that engage the ends of the connector 12. preclude any substantial relative longitudinal movement of the connector 12 in the casing 13. It is seen that a fully protected, rigid and stable electrical connection is realized.

Although the invention has been described by making detailed reference to a single preferred embodiment, such detail is to be understood in an instructive, rather than in any restrictive sense, many variants being possible within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

We claim as our invention:

1. A cover for an electrical connector comprising:

(a) an elongate tubular casing made of'insulating material,the casing having end walls,

(12) a pair of integral partitions extending into the casing in longitudinally spaced relation to provide a compartment therebetween, and

(c) a plurality of abutments integral with the casing and extending into the casing compartment, at least one abutment being located at one end of the compartment, and more than one abutment being located at the other end of the compartment,

((1) the longitudinal distances between each abutment at the said one end of the compartment and each abutment at the said other end of the compartment being different for accommodating connectors of different lengths adapted to be located therebetween and engaged endwise thereby.

2. A cover for an electrical connector comprising:

(a) an elongate tubular casing made of insulating material, the casing having end walls,

(b) a pair of integral partitions extending into the casing in longitudinally spaced relation to provide a compartment therebetween,

'(c) a plurality of resilient tabs integral with the casing and extending into each end of the casing compartment,

(d) the longitudinal distances between each tab at one end of the compartment and each tab at the other end of the compartment being different for accommodating connectors of different lengths adapted to be located therebetween and engaged endwise thereby, and

(e) the resilient tabs spaced inwardly of the tabs at the ends of the compartment adapted to engage any one and hold the connector snugly in the casing compartment.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS OTHER REFERENCES Jasper Blackburn Corp. Advertisement Service Entrance Sleeve, Electrical World, vol. 156, No. 22, Nov. 27, 1961, p. 60.

E. JAMES 'SAX, Primary Examiner.

of the dilferent connectors 'being adapted to engage 20 JOHN P. WILDMAN, Examiner.

Claims

1. A COVER FOR AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR COMPRISING: (A) AN ELONGATE TUBULAR CASING MADE OF INSULATING MATERIAL, THE CASING HAVING END WALLS, (B) A PAIR OF INTEGRAL PARTITIONS EXTENDING INTO THE CASING IN LONGITUDINALLY SPACED RELATION TO PROVIDE A COMPARTMENT THEREBETWEEN, AND (C) A PLURALITY OF ABUTMENTS INTEGRAL WITH THE CASING AND EXTENDING INTO THE CASING COMPARTMENT, AT LEAST ONE ABUTMENT BEING LOCATED AT ONE END OF THE COMPARTMENT, AND MORE THAN ONE ABUTMENT BEING LOCATED AT THE OTHER END OF THE COMPARTMENT, (D) THE LONGITUDINAL DISTANCES BETWEEN EACH ABUTMENT AT THE SAID ONE END OF THE COMPARTMENT AND EACH ABUTMENT AT THE SAID OTHER END OFG THE COMPARTMENT BEING DIFFERENT FOR ACCOMMODATING CONNECTORS OF DIFFERENT LENGTHS ADAPTED TO BE LOCATED THEREBETWEEN AND ENGAGED ENDWISE THEREBY.