Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6419519
-
Patent Number
6,419,519
-
Date Filed
Tuesday, August 1, 200024 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, July 16, 200222 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Sircus; Brian
- Nguyen; Son V.
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 439 446
- 439 470
- 439 471
- 439 472
- 439 31
- 439 473
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A backshell adapter assembly includes a clamp body and one or more extending strain relief arms, pivotably connected to the clamp body. The strain relief arms are adapted to receive a pair of opposing saddle clamps or cable tie to provide radial clamping of a wire bundle relative to the backshell adapter assembly to prevent axial movement of the cable in response to axial forces thereupon. The extending strain relief arms are adapted to be rotated between various positions including −90° to +90°. Provisions may be provided for securing the extending arms at various detent positions relative to the axis of the clamp body. As such the need for separate tooling for different configurations is eliminated, thus lowering the cost of the device. In addition, the use of such backshell adapter assemblies is greatly simplified.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an accessory for an electrical connector, also known as a backshell adapter assembly, and more particularly to a backshell adapter assembly which includes one or more pivotable strain relief arms which can be adjusted between various angles relative to the axis of the backshell adapter assembly to provide radial clamping of a wire bundle to prevent axial forces from damaging the wire termination at the electrical connector.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Backshell adapter assemblies are generally known in the art. Such backshell adapter assemblies normally provide a transition from a plurality of electrical conductors to an electrical connector. An example of a backshell adapter assembly is disclosed in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,278, hereby incorporated by reference.
Various types of backshell adapter assemblies are known and configured to provide a relatively wide range of options, depending on the particular application. One such application is strain relief. In particular, backshell adapter assemblies are known which provide a radial clamping force relative to the wire bundle to prevent axial forces from damaging the termination of the wires at the electrical connector. Such known backshell adapter assemblies normally include a mechanical saddle clamp which, in turn, includes a pair of complementary saddle bars, rigidly secured to the backshell adapter assembly by way of extending strain relief arms. Conventional fasteners are used to tighten the saddle bars together to provide a radial clamping force to prevent the cable or wire bundle from moving in an axial direction.
Depending on the application, various configurations of the backshell adapter assemblies with saddle clamps are known in which the angle of the axes of the strain relief arms relative to the axis of the backshell adapter assembly varies. For example, 0°, 45° and 90° configurations are all known. In each of these configurations, the backshell adapter assembly includes a pair of extending strain relief arms for connecting the saddle clamps to the backshell adapter assembly, fixed at either 0°, 45° or 90° relative to the axis of the backshell adapter assembly. Since the strain relief arms are fixed relative to the backshell adapter assembly, the 0°, 45° and 90° backshell adapter assemblies with strain relief must be manufactured as separate products. As such, separate tooling must be provided for each of the various configurations which increases the cost of backshell adapter assemblies with a strain relief function. In addition, the end user must have an accurate count of each of the configurations required before ordering the backshell adapter assemblies. Should a field change be required, additional backshell adapter assemblies may be required to be ordered. As such there is a need to optimize backshell adapter assemblies with various configurations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly, the present invention relates to a backshell adapter assembly which includes a clamp body and one or more extending strain relief arms, pivotably connected to the clamp body. The strain relief arms are adapted to receive a pair of opposing saddle clamps or a cable tie to provide radial clamping of a wire bundle relative to the backshell adapter assembly to prevent axial movement of the cable in response to axial forces thereupon. The extending strain relief arms are adapted to be rotated between various positions, for example, −90° to +90°. Provisions may be provided for securing the extending arms at various detent positions relative to the axis of the clamp body. As such the need for separate tooling for different configurations is eliminated, thus lowering the cost of the device. In addition, the use of such backshell adapter assemblies is greatly simplified.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other advantages of the invention will be readily apparent upon consideration of the following specification and attached drawing wherein:
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of one embodiment of a backshell adapter assembly with a pivotable strain relief mechanism in accordance with the present invention, shown at 0° relative to the axis of the backshell adapter assembly and illustrated clamping a shielded cable.
FIG. 2
is an exploded perspective view of the backshell adapter assembly illustrated in FIG.
1
.
FIG. 3
is a front view of the backshell adapter assembly illustrated in
FIG. 1
, shown partially in section.
FIG. 4
is a front view of the backshell adapter assembly illustrated in
FIG. 1
, shown with the strain relief members configured at a first angle relative to the axis of the backshell adapter assembly.
FIG. 5
is similar to
FIG. 4
shown configured at a second angle.
FIG. 6
is similar to
FIG. 4
but shown with the strain relief members configured at a third angle.
FIG. 7
is similar to
FIG. 4
, but shown partially in section and configured at a fourth angle.
FIG. 8
is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the invention in which the strain relief arms are configured to receive a cable tie, shown with the strain relief arms at 0° relative to the axis of the backshell adapter assembly.
FIG. 9
is similar to
FIG. 8
except it is a front view, shown partially in section.
FIG. 10
is a sectional view of the strain relief arm illustrated in
FIGS. 8 and 9
.
FIG. 11
is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the strain relief arm in accordance with present invention formed with a planetary gear around the pivot axis.
FIG. 12
is an exploded perspective view of a backshell adapter assembly which incorporates the strain relief arm illustrated in FIG.
11
.
FIG. 13
is perspective view of another alternate embodiment of the strain relief arm in accordance with the present invention formed with a locking pin.
FIG. 14
is an exploded perspective view of a backshell adapter assembly which incorporates the strain relief arm illustrated in
FIG. 13
FIG. 15
is similar to
FIG. 1
except the backshell adapter assembly is configured for use with a non-shielded cable.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a backshell adapter assembly which includes pivotable strain relief arms that are adapted to rotate between various angles, for example −90° to +90°, defined between a cable axis
22
(
FIG. 5
) and an axis
21
of the backshell adapter assembly. As used herein, the term configuration refers to the relationship between the axis
20
and the axis
22
as shown in FIG.
5
. The backshell adapter assembly in accordance with the present invention eliminates the needs to provide separate tooling for backshell adapter assemblies having different configurations. Not only do the pivotable strain relief arms reduce the cost of such backshell adapter assemblies but also facilitate the use of such devices. In particular, an accurate count of all of the various configurations is no longer required in order to order the backshell adapter assemblies. With the present invention, the user now need only determine the total number of backshell adapter assemblies required for the job.
Four embodiments of the invention are illustrated.
FIGS. 1 through 7
illustrate a first embodiment of a backshell adapter assembly with pivotable strain relief arms in accordance with the present invention which utilize a saddle clamp to provide a radial clamping force on a cable. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in
FIGS. 8 and 9
, one or more strain relief arms may be provided and configured to be secured to the cable by way of a cable plastic tie.
FIGS. 11 and 12
illustrate a third embodiment while FIGS.
13
and
14
illustrate a fourth embodiment of the invention. In all aspects of the invention, the strain relief arms are easily field configured to provide virtually any configuration of the strain relief arms, for example, −90° to +90°.
Additionally, the principles of the present invention are applicable to both shielded and non-shielded cable applications. For example,
FIGS. 1-14
illustrate backshell adapter assemblies configured for use with shielded cables.
FIG. 15
illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a backshell adapter assembly in accordance with the present invention, configured for use with non-shielded cables.
Moreover, specific locking mechanisms are shown with specific detent positions. The principles of the present invention are applicable to embodiments with various types of locking mechanisms in addition to those shown and embodiments without detent positions. It is only important that the strain relief arms be secured in place after the assembly has been configured to the desired angle.
Turning to
FIGS. 1-7
, the backshell adapter assembly with pivotable strain relief arms in accordance with the present invention is generally identified with the reference numeral
26
. The backshell adapter assembly
26
includes a clamp body
28
formed, for example, from various materials, such as an aluminum alloy, stainless steel or a composite plastic material. The clamp body
28
includes a ring portion
30
(
FIG. 2
) and two flat surfaces or plate portions
32
and
34
. The plate portions
32
and
34
are spaced apart and disposed to be generally parallel to the axis
20
. The plate portions
32
and
34
are connected to the ring portion
30
by a pair of shoulders
36
and
38
. The spacing between the plate portions
32
and
34
as well as the diameter of the ring portion
30
are selected to receive a cable
40
, for example, a shielded cable as shown in
FIG. 1
or alternatively are configured to receive a non-shielded cable (not shown) as in the embodiment illustrated in FIG.
15
.
The ring portion
30
may be provided with a number of extending tabs
44
,
46
,
48
and
50
, which extend in an axial direction. These tabs
44
,
46
,
48
and
50
cooperate with corresponding slots, generally identified with the reference numeral
52
, formed in a cable termination ring
53
. The cable termination ring
53
is secured to the cable
40
and does not form a part of the back shell adapter assembly
26
. The cable termination ring
53
and in particular the slots
52
formed therein cooperate with the axially extending tabs
44
,
46
,
48
and
50
on the ring portion
30
of the clamp body
28
to prevent rotation of the cable
40
relative to the backshell adapter assembly
26
. One or more grounding rings
55
,
103
may be provided. The grounding rings
55
,
103
may be used in applications where a continuous electrical ground path is required from the cable shield to the clamp body
28
and electrical connector
104
to provide RFI/EMI shielding. The grounding rings
55
,
103
are not required in non-shielded cable applications.
In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the flat surface plate portions
32
and
34
of the clamp body
28
are provided with aligned apertures
54
and
56
which define a pivot axis
58
. These apertures
54
and
56
are used to pivotably attach a pair of opposing strain relief arms
59
and
60
to the clamp body
28
. Once the desired configuration angle is selected, the strain relief arms
59
and
60
are secured in place. Various means may be used to secure the stain relief arms
59
and
60
relative to the plate portions
32
and
34
of the clamp body
28
. As shown, a plurality of apertures, generally identified with the reference numeral
61
, are radially disposed along an extending arcuate surface
62
of the plate portions
32
and
34
. These apertures
61
define detent positions which enable the strain relief arms
59
and
60
to be locked at various detent configuration angles relative to the clamp body
28
. Five apertures
60
are shown. More or less apertures may be used. Other configurations are contemplated which do not require detent positions. In those configurations (not shown), the clamp body
28
need not include the apertures
61
. All such configurations are considered to be within the broad scope of the invention.
In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the strain relief arms
59
and
60
are provided with a pair of apertures
64
and
66
. These apertures
64
and
66
are adapted to be aligned with the apertures
54
and
56
in the plate portions
32
and
34
, respectively, of the clamp body
28
to enable the strain relief arms
59
and
60
to be pivotably coupled to the clamp body
28
with suitable fasteners
68
and
70
. The fasteners
68
and
70
may be pins, rivets or screws or any means which enables the strain relief arms
59
and
60
to pivot with respect to the clamp body
28
. In the embodiments illustrated, the strain relief arms
59
and
60
may also be provided with a pair of spaced apart apertures
72
and
74
that are adapted to be aligned with one of the apertures
61
along the extending arcuate surfaces
62
of the plate portions
32
and
34
of the clamp body
28
. These apertures
72
and
74
enable the strain relief arms
59
and
60
to be secured at a selected configuration angle relative to the clamp body
28
by way of suitable fasteners
76
and
78
. Various types of fasteners, such as pins, rivets and screws may be used for the fasteners
76
and
78
.
The strain relief arms
59
and
60
may be formed with extending flange portions
82
and
84
. These extending flange portions
82
and
84
may be used to secure a pair of opposing saddle bars
86
and
88
. Each of the saddle bars
86
and
88
may be formed with apertures, generally identified with the reference numeral
93
, on opposing ends. These apertures
93
are adapted to be aligned with the apertures
82
and
84
on the flange portions
82
and
84
to enable the saddle bars
86
and
88
to be secured to the strain relief arms
59
and
60
with suitable fasteners, for example, a pair of screws
94
and
100
and a pair of elongated captured nuts
96
and
98
.
As shown in
FIGS. 4-7
, various configurations of the strain relief arms
59
and
60
can be obtained rather quickly and easily, thus simplifying the manufacturing process as well as ordering process for backshell adapter assemblies with strain relief capabilities. For example,
FIG. 4
illustrates a 0° configuration in which the axis
22
of the strain relief arms
59
and
60
is at 0° relative to the axis
20
.
FIG. 5
illustrates a configuration in which axis
22
of the strain relief arms
59
and
60
form a positive angle relative to the axis
20
, for example +45°.
FIG. 6
illustrates a configuration in which the axis
22
of the strain relief arms
59
and
60
forms a negative angle relative to the axis
22
, for example −90°, while
FIG. 7
illustrates a configuration at −45°. Various angular configurations are possible depending on the radial location of the apertures
61
along the arcuate surfaces
62
of the clamp body
28
in the embodiment shown in
FIGS. 1-3
.
Each of the leaf springs
108
and
110
includes a pin
114
,
116
that is adapted to be received in apertures
118
provided in the coupling nut
106
. The coupling nut
106
also includes internal threads, generally identified with the reference numeral
120
, that are adapted to mate with corresponding threads
122
on the electrical connector
104
or another backshell.
The electrical connector
104
further includes anti-rotation teeth, generally identified with the reference
126
, which cooperate with corresponding teeth
128
formed on the termination ring
52
, to prevent rotation of the electrical connector
104
relative to the backshell adapter assembly
26
.
An alternate embodiment of the invention as illustrated in
FIGS. 8 and 9
. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment illustrated in
FIGS. 1-7
with the exception of the configuration of the strain relief arms
59
and
60
. In this embodiment, the strain relief arms, generally identified with the reference numeral
133
, are configured to eliminate the need for a saddle clamp. In this embodiment, one or two strain relief arms
133
may be provided and radially disposed adjacent the clamp body
28
. The strain relief arms
133
are configured with a notch
130
disposed between a stop
132
and a shoulder
134
. The configuration is adapted to capture a cable tie
136
within the notch
130
to enable the strain relief arm
133
to be secured to the cable
40
. The strain relief arm
133
is adapted to pivot relative to the clamp body
28
in a similar manner as the embodiments illustrated in
FIGS. 1-7
and thus includes an apertures
129
. In embodiments, such as illustrated in
FIG. 8
, the strain relief arm
133
may be provided with a second aperture
131
for preventing rotation of the strain relief arm
133
relative to the clamp body
28
. The second aperture
131
may be omitted when detent positions are not desired and in embodiments of the strain relief arms which include other locking mechanisms, such as planetary gear, similar to
FIG. 11
, or a locking pin, similar to FIG.
13
.
The embodiment illustrated in
FIGS. 8 and 9
contemplate the use of one or two strain relief arms
133
. In configurations in which two strain relief arms
133
are utilized, the clamp body
28
is the same as illustrated in embodiment illustrated in
FIGS. 1-7
. In an embodiment in which only one strain relief arm
133
is utilized, the clamp body is essentially the same as the clamp body
28
(
FIG. 2
) except only a single plate portion
32
is provided. The clamp body
28
is also used in embodiments in which the strain relief arm
133
is provided with a locking pin, similar to FIG.
13
. Moreover in embodiments in which the strain relief arms
128
are provided with a locking mechanism, such as a planetary gear, similar to
FIG. 11
, a clamp body similar to
FIG. 12
may be utilized.
The third embodiment of the invention is illustrated in
FIGS. 11 and 12
. In this embodiment, alternate strain relief arms
140
,
141
are provided as illustrated in FIG.
11
. The strain relief arms
140
,
141
each include a plate portion
142
and an extending flange
144
. The plate portion
142
is provided with an aperture
146
which defines a pivot axis for the strain relief arms
140
,
141
. In this embodiment, various types of locking mechanisms are contemplated, for example, raised or recessed star gears, planetary gears or the like may be used to lock the strain relief arms
141
,
142
in the position relative to the clamp body
154
. An exemplary embodiment illustrating a planetary gear is illustrated. The planetary gear, generally identified reference
148
, is concentrically formed around the aperture
146
and includes a plurality of teeth
149
. The planetary gears
148
is adapted to cooperate with a corresponding planetary gear
150
formed in the flanged portion
152
of a clamp body
154
(FIG.
12
). The flange portion
152
of the clamp body
154
also includes an aperture
156
concentrically disposed relative to the planetary gear
150
. The planetary gears
148
and
150
prevent rotation of the strain relief arms
140
,
141
when secured to the clamp body
154
while allowing virtually any configuration of the strain relief arms
140
,
141
relative to the axis
20
. Conventional fasteners
158
and
160
may be used to secure the strain relief arms
140
and
141
to the clamp body
154
. In particular, once the desired configuration angle is selected, the aperture
146
in the strain relief arms
140
and
141
are aligned with the apertures
156
in the clamp body
154
and secured thereto by the fasteners
158
and
160
. The fasteners
158
and
160
may either be loose as shown or captured relative to the strain relief arms
140
,
141
. The clamp body
154
is otherwise similar to the clamp body
28
(FIG.
2
). The flange portions
144
of the strain relief arms
140
and
141
also include aperture
162
and
163
for securing a pair of saddle bars
86
and
88
thereto with conventional fasteners
94
,
96
,
98
and
100
.
An alternate embodiment of the invention is illustrated in
FIGS. 13 and 14
. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment illustrated in
FIGS. 1-7
except that the strain relief arms
170
and
172
are provided with locking pins
174
and
176
. The locking pins
174
,
176
are adapted to be received in the apertures
61
in the clamp body in lieu of fasteners. In all other respects, the embodiment illustrated in
FIGS. 13 and 14
are virtually the same as the embodiment illustrated in
FIGS. 1 through 7
.
Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Thus, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described above.
Claims
- 1. A backshell adapter assembly with a strain relief function comprising:a clamp body having a ring portion defining a first axis and a pair of flat plate portions spaced apart and generally parallel to said first axis, each plate portion formed with a pivot hole with an annular groove; a pair of extending strain relief arms, each arm defining opposing first and second ends, said first ends of said strain relief arms pivotably connected to said pivot holes in said pair of plate portions, said strain relief arms defining a second axis; a coupling nut for providing a interface for an electrical device, said coupling nut formed as a ring adapted to be coupled to said annular groove on said clamp body to prevent axial movement therebetween and a set of threads for mating with the electrical device; and a pair of saddle bars adapted to be secured to said second ends of strain relief arms to provide radial clamping of a cable disposed between said pair of strain relief arms.
- 2. The backshell adapter assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said electrical device is an electrical connector.
- 3. The backshell adapter assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said electrical device is another backshell adapter assembly.
- 4. The backshell adapter assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said pair of strain relief arms are configured to be secured in place relative to said clamp body with a locking mechanism.
- 5. The backshell adapter assembly as recited in claim 4, wherein said locking mechanism includes a gear.
- 6. The backshell adapter assembly as recited in claim 5, wherein said gear is a planetary gear.
- 7. The backshell adapter assembly as recited in claim 5, wherein said gear is a star gear.
- 8. The backshell adapter assembly as recited in claim 4, wherein said locking mechanism includes one or more additional holes formed in said flat plate portions of said clamp body for enabling each of said pair of strain relief arms to be secured thereto.
- 9. The backshell adapter assembly as recited in claim 4, wherein said locking mechanism is formed by providing planetary gears on at least one of said of plate portions of said clamp body and said at least one of said strain relief arms.
- 10. The backshell adapter assembly as recited in claim 4, wherein said locking mechanism includes a pin formed on at least one of said strain relief arms and said clamp body is provided with one or more apertures for receiving said pin to prevent rotation of said strain relief arms relative to said clamp body.
- 11. The backshell adapter assembling as recited in claim 1, wherein said strain relief arms are formed with flange portions which extend beyond said plate portions an said flange portions are formed with apertures and wherein each of said pair of saddle bars are adapted to be secured to said flange portions by way of said apertures and suitable fasteners.
- 12. A backshell adapter assembly with a strain relief function comprising:a clamp body having a ring portion defining a first axis and a pair of flat plate portions spaced apart and generally parallel to said first axis, each plate portion formed with a pivot hole, said ring portion formed with an angular groove; a pair of strain relief arms, each strain relief arm defining a first end and a second end, said first ends of said strain relief arms pivotably connected to said pivot holes on said pair of planes portions, said strain relief arms configured to extend beyond said plate portions, said strain relief arms defining a second axis and formed with notches for capturing a cable tie to thereby provide radial clamping of a cable disposed between said pair of strain relief arms; and a coupling nut for providing an interface to an electrical device, said coupling nut formed a ring adapted to be coupled to said annular groove on said clamp body and a second set of threads adapted to mate with the electrical device.
- 13. The backshell adapter assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein said electrical device is an electrical connector.
- 14. The backshell adapter as recited in claim 12, wherein said electrical device is a backshell adapter.
- 15. The backshell adapter assembly as recited in claim 12, further including a locking mechanism for locking one or more of said strain relief arms relative to said clamp body.
- 16. The backshell adapter as recited in claim 15, wherein said locking mechanism includes apertures formed in said strain relief arms and said plate portions of said clamp body to enable said strain relief arms to be secured relative to said clamp body by way of suitable fasteners.
- 17. The backshell adapter assembly as recited in claim 15, wherein said locking mechanism includes cooperating planetary gears formed on at least one plate portion of said clamp body and said at least one of said strain relief arms to prevent rotation of said at least strain relief arm relative to said at least one plate portion.
- 18. A backshell adapter assembly, with a strain relief function comprising:a clamp body having a ring portion defining a first axis and a pair of spaced apart flat plate portions, each plate portion having a pivot hole generally parallel to said first axis, said ring portion formed with an annular groove; a pair of strain relief arms, each strain relief arm defining a first end and a second end, said first ends of said strain relief arms pivotably connected to said pivot holes on said plate portions, said pair of strain relief arms configured to extend beyond said plate portions, said pair of strain relief arms defining a second as and formed with notches for capturing a cable tie; and a coupling nut for providing interface to an electrical device, said coupling nut formed as a ring coupled to said annular groove on said clamp body and a set of threads adapted to mate with the electrical device; and a locking mechanism for locking at least one of said pair of strain relief arms relative to said clamp body, wherein said locking mechanism includes a pin formed on one of said strain relief arms and wherein said plate portions of said clamp body are provided with one or more apertures for receiving said pin to prevent rotation of said strain relief arms relative to said clamp body.
US Referenced Citations (15)
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
3135781 |
Mar 1983 |
DE |