Patent Application
20230084815
It is known in the art to provide an adaptor for connecting an electrical connector with an electrical cable. Such adaptors typically include a screw fitting for connecting a cable with the connector and an end cap which relieves strain in the cable and seals and protects the cable from outside contaminants. However, the screw fitting and end cap combination do not prevent torque from being transmitting between the connector and the cable when either component is subjected to twisting or rotation. The torque ultimately weakens the connection or causes damage connector or cable, limiting the useful life of the adaptor.
The present invention was developed in order to overcome these and other drawbacks of conventional cable adaptors by providing an adaptor which is free of torque and while still relieving strain and providing protection from outside contaminants.
Accordingly, it is primary object of the invention to provide an adaptor for connecting a cable with an electrical connector including a housing containing a longitudinal through channel. A first portion of the housing has a cylindrical configuration and contains a chamber communicating with the through channel. An insert is connected with the housing for free rotation relative of the housing. When the housing is connected with an electrical cable and the insert is connected with an electrical connector, the cable and housing are free to rotate relative to each other without any torque being applied to either.
According to a preferred embodiment, the insert contains a longitudinal through channel coaxial with the housing through channel. A first portion of the insert is arranged in the housing chamber. The first portion of the housing insert contains an annular recess, and the housing first portion includes at least one pin which extends into the insert recess in order to retain the insert within the housing first portion chamber while permitting free rotation of the insert relative to the housing. If desired, a pair of pins extend from opposite sides of the housing first portion into the insert recess to stabilize the adaptor.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification when viewed in the light of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Referring first to
The cable adaptor according to the invention is shown in
The outer surface of the insert first portion 14a contains an annular recess 16 which is arranged within the housing first portion chamber when the insert is arranged in the housing. The housing first portion 10a includes at least one projection 18 which extends into the insert recess 16 to retain the insert within the housing first portion chamber while permitting free rotation of the insert. Preferably, a pair of projections are provided in the housing first portion which are arranged diametrically opposed from each other so that the insert remains centered and balanced within the housing first portion chamber. It will be appreciated that any number of spaced projections may be provided on the housing first portion. If multiple projections are provided, they are preferably arranged in diametrically opposed pairs and equally spaced.
In a preferred embodiment, the housing first portion 10a contains a through opening 20 having an axis which extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A. The through opening 20 is configured to receive a pin which serves as the projection 18. That is, the pin has a diameter corresponding with the diameter of the through opening to provide a force fit connection between the pin and the opening. Accordingly, in order to assemble the adaptor, the first portion 14a of the insert 14 is inserted into the chamber 12 of the housing first portion 10a with the annular recess 16 arranged adjacent to the housing first portion through opening 20. A pin is inserted in the housing through opening 20. The pin has a length sufficient to extend into the annular recess 16 to retain the insert within the housing. Additional through openings are provided to receive additional pins if desired. In the embodiment shown in the drawing, two pins and corresponding through openings are provided.
The housing 10 includes a second portion 10b having an internal threaded surface 22 for receiving a threaded tube or an electrical connector (not shown). The insert 14 also includes a second portion 14b having an internal threaded surface 24 for receiving a threaded end portion 4 of an electrical connector such as shown in
The housing and insert are formed of a durable material such as synthetic plastic or metal. Due to the free independent rotation between the housing and insert, no torque is transmitted from one side of the adaptor to the other. The housing and insert are designed to withstand torque applied to the adaptor from devices connected with the opposite ends of the adaptor, i.e. with the housing and insert threaded second portions, respectively. However, with the free rotation of these components, the torque is not transmitted through the adaptor which preserves the life of a cable arranged therein.
While the preferred forms and embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without deviating from the inventive concepts set forth above.
