USRE18634E - Cable connecter - Google Patents

Description

G. C. THOMAS, JR Oct. 18, 1932., CABLE CONNECT .Re. 18,634

Original Fild sep' 15, 1928" avwemto'z GEORGE C. THO/M5 JI1 Reiuued Oct. 18, 1932 UN ED-STATES PATENT orrlcaclone! 0. In, or :amzanmn, mew .masmr, assrenoa To run mom a aa'rrs ,co., or nmzana'rn. nnw JaasnY, a coaroaarron on NEW mass? oaann oo'nnao'ran 'Oflglnal No. 1,758,915, emu January 80, 1881, Serlal'lo. 806,238, filed September 15, 1828. Application for reillue fled July 14, 1982. Serial No. 822,555.

This invention relates to connectors for use with electrical outlet box assemblies and the like, and more particularl relates to cable connectors for securing cab e to boxes used in connection with house and building electrical wiring jobs and installations.

An object of the invention is to produce a novel cable connecter simple in structure and use and which will positlvely secure a cable to anoutlet box as well as simultaneously anchor itself to "the box by actuation of a sirlgle operatingmeans.

particular object of the invention is to produce improvements in cable clamping means forming a part of the connecter, the

clamping meansbeing actuated by an operating means to fix thecable in the box; and in one form of the invention, the reaction force produced by the operating means simultaneously anchors the connecter in the box knock-out. In a modified form of the invention, the operatin means merely'functions to actuate the ca. le clamp since there is provided a separate and independent an chorage means to fix the connecter in the box. Having the foregoing objects and others in view, the invention relates to improvements in construction and use as shown in the examples of the invention portrayed in the accompanying drawing, wherein: I

Figure 1 shows a side elevation, Figure 2 a longitudinal section, and Figure 3 an inside and elevation of the cable connecter. Figure 4 shows, respectively a side and carried on screw operating means and engaging a. cable. These two viewsare in effect diagrammatic to show the application of the two-legged, U-shaped or yoke-like cable clamp to the cable. Particularly the side view shows in dotted lines the tilted back position of the lower end of the clamp and illustrates how its pronged or barbed front end digs into the cable ,to more firmly grip itin event a strain or pull is exerted on the cable in the direction of the arrow tending to end elevation of. a novel cable clamp loosely connecter and the cable in finally anchored posltlon.

F1gure 6 is a plan view of the box assembly with the connecter and cable anchored.

being an outside end elevation thereof. This modified form of connecter differs from the main form only in the box-achorage means to fix the connecter in the box, since in this modified form I employ an ordinary lock nut to anchor the connector in the box,whereas in the first form-ofthe invention I employ a single operating means such as a screw to perform both functions of anchoring the connecter in the box and securing the cable in the box. 1

In house wiring installations, a box B is anchored to the building in the usual way and a cable C containing electrical wiring is introduced through the box knock-out or hole H formed in the box. Electrical wire connections are made with the wires W in the box for supplying current to lighting fixtures, electrical appliances and the" like and the present invention more particularly relates to improved connecter means for fastening the cable C to the box B.

The connecter-consists of a casting or frame part made in any suitable shape such as a connecter member 12 which is here shown as a sleeve and .on which the movable parts are mounted. The sleeve 12 may assume various forms of construction which is apparent from an inspection of the two examples of the invention. Onety of connecter member is shown at 12 in.F1gures 1 through 7, while another type of connecter member is shown at in Figures 8 and 9, The connecter member may be made with a bushing 13 which acts as a stop against which rests the inner end of the cable as shown in Figure 5. The other end of the connecter member is cut away at 14 thereby leaving an overhanging extended portion 15 which'pr'oduces a connecter member having a short and long portion. The cut away end or face 14 of the member afiords a flat abutmentend or edge 14 which rests against the box walLwhen t connecter is installed. In this instance the connecter end portion 14 rests against the inside box wall surface; The castin 12 includes a box hole edge seat 16 raise may to advantage be formed on a radlus substantially equal to the radius of the box hole H so as to fit thereinto. 'The arcuate box hole ed e seat 16 is eccentric to theaxis of the ca le C and hence is eccentric to the axis of the sleeve 12. When the connecter is in place in box hole H, the seat 16 displaces the connecter 12 of! center of the axis of the box hole This arrangement seats the cable C a ainstthe exposed portion of. the box hole e ge which is left uncovered by the cut-away formation 14 of the connecter when it 1s mounted in the box hole.

The connecter sleeve 12 also includes box abutments or box anchorage means compris- 'ing ears 18 and 19. There are three ears shown and they are adapted-to anchor the connecter in the box hole against dlsplacement. Two of the anchorage ears, say 19, may be formed in circumferential alignment while the other car 18 is spaced from the ears 19 a distance about equal to the thickness of the box wall B and in this way the box wall rests on the seat .16 between the car 18 and ears 19. Hence the abutment or anchorage means 18-19 are disposed on the outside and inside of the box wall and anchor the con necter against longitudinal displacement so long as the connecter seat 16 engages the box hole edge.

The overhanging sleeve or member portlon 15 carries the eccentric box hole edge seat 16 and abutment ears 18 and 19 above "or opposite the cut-away end edge 14 as shown. Furthermore the elongated or overhanging portion 15 includes a screw support lip 21 in which a threaded screw hole 22 is preferably made at an angle to the axis of the connecter member 12 and the box hole H. Operating mean such as a screw 23 is mounted in the threa ed hole 22 and the axis of the screw is directed at ,an angle to the box wall B whereby the force delivered by the screw is in a direction toward the exposed box hole edge portion which is opposite the arcuate seat 16 and screw 23.

The'overhanging screw-carrying lip 21 is disposed between the outside box ears 19 and preferably has parallel sides. The parallel sides of the lip 21 in efiect define slots 10 between the ears 19 and the lip 21. The slots 10 are directed along a plane parallel to the axis of thescrew 23' for slidable and guided reception of a clamp, and an improved cable clamp 24 ismade substantially U-shaped and includes parallel clamp legs 24 and slidably straddles the lip 21. The parallel sides of v 1e,ea4 1 on the member 12 and which the lip 21 form a guide on which the clamp slides up and down in relationto the cable.

A free or unthreaded screw hole 17 is made in the top of the clamp for the free reception of the screw 23 which slidably retains the clamp 24 in lace. The cable clamp 24 has its lower en s formed at an angle to the axis of the screw as indicated at 25 and the clamp legs are barbed or pointed at 26 on their front edges. The and edges 25 of the cable clamp are disposed in separated relation but stand parallel to the cable 0 so as to bear against the cablewhen the clam is tightened in final fixed position. The calile clamp 24 is loose on the screw 23, the screw hole 17 being large and loose, so as to adjust itself and tilt to dig the barb points 26 into the cable should an outward pulling force be exerted thereonas illustrated in Figure 4.

The clamp 24 being placed and guidedastride the screw carrying lip 21, moves up and down in guided relation in the grooves or slots 10 formed between each car 19 and the lip 21 when the slots or ooves 10 are used. The threaded shank o; the screw 23 is preferably shorter than the plate-like clamp legs 24 and this relation of the screw and the clamp revents the screw and from engaging the ca le and crushing it. In other words the edges 25 of the cable clamp first reach and grip the cable C between said edges 25 and the exposed box hole edgeH and accom lishes thls urpose before the screw has reac edthe cab e. The screw is preferably just long enough to be screwed well into or substantlally through the overhanging lip 21 at the time the cable clamp 24 has reached firmly seated en agement against the cable C.

The parallel at clamp plates or legs 24 are disposed in substantially parallel planes which planes are also about parallel to the cable axis and the clamp legs are disposed at an angle to the cable axis so that the head 20 of the cable clamp ismounted outside the connecter and is engageable by the screw operat- I ing means 23to move the clamp down into engagement with the cable. The cable is grip ed by the two spaced cable. The width of the plates and hence the length of the biting or gripping edges 25 is sufiicient to bridge over the convolutions of the cable and therefore a positive grip is secured on the cable. Furthermore the plates 24 are stamped out of relatively thin against the inside and outside box wall surlates 24 along para lel lines on each side 0 the axis of the functions to grip the cable. The cable clamp points or barbs 26 burr, squeeze or prick into the cable especially so if there is any tend;

ency for the cable to be pulled from the boxbecause a jerk or force on the cable in the dircetionof the arrow, Figure 4, tilts r levers the clamp 24 rearwardly about the screw as a pivot thereby more deeply embedding the clamp edges 25-26 into the cable. In building construction, it frequently happens that a cable is subjected to. a jerking force by reason ofa workman accidentally stepping on or dropping material on a cable, but this connecter is found to tighten up when that happens.

Another feature to be observed is that the clamp biting edges 2526 overlie the cut away edge 14 and hence overlie the exposed box hole edge portion left uncovered thereby. In other words the clamp ends or edges extend through the box hole H from outside to inside the box and this is accomplished by the angular setting of the yoke clamp in respect to the cable axis.

It is noteworthy that the clamp edges 25- 26, which are opposite the headed end of the clamp, afi'ord two spaced parallel gripping edges which bear on the cable to each side of the center thereof. In other words the two spaced gripping edges -26 bear on/each side of the axis of the cable as distinguished from hearing directly on the top or center of the cable which is common in the art'and which is more likely to crush the cable than when hearing or gripping on the sides as characteristic in this invention. By delivering the gripping force to the side the cable very nearly tangent 'to the circle defining the cable, it follows that there exists less danger of crushing the cable than when delivering the force centrally thereon; and by delivering the clamping force to two sides of the cable in a tangential manner it follows that one force opposes the other and there exists no tendency to rotate the cable because the force of one gripping plate 24 opposes that of the other. These features afford advantages in the several ways explained.

The connecter is mounted in the box by a tilting action and by angularly introducing the connecter through the box hole until the inner ear 18 has been inserted, whereupon the connecter is straightened up with the abutment end edge 14 resting against the box wall surface and with the connecter seat 16 against the box hole edge. The mechanic may now .hold the connecter with one hand while he introduces the cable 0 with the other, and thereafter tightens up the screw 23 and thus presses the clamp 24 against the cable to com plete the box assembly.

The foregoing description discloses a cableconnecter of a type wherein the box hole edge H is partly exposed by the connecter when placed in the box hole. This type of con-- necter drops out of place unless held by ones hand until the cable C is inserted. To obviate this difliculty, a connecter support spring 27 may be attached to the shorter portion of the connectermember and the sprin 27 overhangs the end edge 14. Spring 2 rests against the exposedbox hole edge portion and may to advantage hook around the box wall as shown in Figure 5. This arrangement holds the connecter 12 in place without the aid of the mechanics hand. The spring 27 yields or bends upwardly so the connecter may be tilted and pressed downwardly until the ear 18 slips through thebox hole, whereupon the spring 27 reacts and snapsthe connecter seat 16 up against the box hole edge and holds the connecter in place thereby freeing ones hand'for other work. The advantage of the mentioned but not claimed.

In both forms of the invention,the head 20 of the cable clamp is advantageously engaged by the head of the screw 23 which drives the parallel clamp plates 24 and their jaw plates and jaw-like edges 25 against the cable surface, and the proximate surfaces of the screw head and the clamp head 20 are parallel and evenly engage each other.- Although the loose-fitting screw hole 17 allows the clamp jaw plates 24 to wobble or'tilt on the screw, the flat screw head engages the clamp head 20 and straightens up the clamp plates 24 causing them to force their jaw-like edges 25 along the surface of the cable, bridging over the convolutions of the cable due to the reach or length of the jaw edges.

A modified form of the invention is shown in Figures 8 and 9 and diflers in structure from that heretofore described in that the box anchorage means is altered and a nut and screw anchorage means 32-33 is here used instead of abutments 18-19 on the exposed box hole edge type of connecter heretofore described.

The modified form of connecter comprises a sleeve 30 having a shoulder 31 and a screw threaded neck 32- with a lock nut 33 which anchors the connecter 30 in the box B. In

all other respects, a cable clamp 34 used on any force exerted on the cable tending to dislodge it from the box causes the front barbed spring 27 is lot and pointed end of the two clamp legs 34. to dig into the cable armor and by a eyerage action the barbs increase their diggingin effort and thereby positively secures the cable in the box.

lVhat is claimed is:

1. In a cable connecter, a connecter member and means to anchor it in a box hole, a cable clamp and operating means therefor. carried with the member and comprising a. yoke having parallel clamp legs, the legs being formed of fiat portions disposed angularly to the axis of a cable which is adapted to be secured to the box hole, and the ends of the legs gripping the cable along lines on each side of and parallel to the axis of the cable.

2. In a cable connecter, a connecter member, and means to anchor it in a box hole,

said connecter member being formed with spaced grooves extending parallel to the axis of the box hole, a U-shaped cable clamp slid ably mounted in the grooves and being provided with a hole for the free reception of a screw, and a screw turning freely in the hole of the cable clamp and being screw threaded into the connecter member.

3. In a cable connecter, a connecter member and means to anchor it in a-box hole, said connecter member being provided with two parallel slots therein formed in parallel relation to the longitudinal axis of the member, a fiat clamp plate slidably mounted in each slot and one end of the plates being adapted to engage a cable received into the connecter member and the box hole, and operating means carried on the member and engaging the other ends of the flat plates to force the plates against the cable.

' 4. In a cable connecter, a member and means to anchor it in a. box hole and being adapted to secure a cable, a screw threaded into the member, said member being provided with cable clamp guide means adjacent the screw, a U-shaped cable clamp mounted freely on the screw and slidably retained on the guide means and forced toward the cable.

by the screw, and the U shaped clamp including parallel legs which are mounted at an angle tp the longitudinal axis of the connecter member and engaging the cable in spaced relation on each side of the cable ax1s. Y

5. In a cable connecter, a connecter member and anchorage means carried by the connecter member to fix the same in a box hole,

a U-shaped cable clamp including parallel plates joined together at one end by a head p'late forming the closed end of the U-part and the other ends being free to grip a cable,

- means mounting the clamp slidably on the member at an angle to the cable axis with the plates disposed parallel to the axis of the cable and adapted to engage the cable along the latter a one engage the cable.

6. In'a cable connecter, a connecter meniber and anchorage means carried by the connecter member to fix the latter in a box hole, a cable clamp including a plate-like device,-

means upon the connecter member guiding the plate-like device in movable relation thereto at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the member and in aplane parallel to the axis of the member, a gripping edge formed on one end of the device adapted to engage a 1 cable along a line parallel to the cable axis,- operating means mounted on the member and engaging the device to force it against the cable, and a loose connection between the operating meansand the device whereby the,

device and its gripping edge tilts about the loose connection to burr deeper into the cable if the latter moves in a direction away from the box.

- 7. In a cable connecter, a connecter 111cm- 7 her and means carried by the connecter member to anchor the member in a box knock-out hole, a guide way formed on the-member to movably support a cable clamp, a cable clamp of 'U-shaped formation slidably mounted on the guide Way, the cable clamp being mounted at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the member, a head portion at one end of the U-shaped portion having a' hole. therethrough, the clamp having parallel end edges at its other end which are adapted to grip acable, and a screw threaded into the member and passing freely through the hole, the hole being larger than the screw to alford a free tilting motion of the clampon the screw and of the gripping edges when the cable is pulled 1n a direction away from the box whereby the end edges of the clamp are forced deeper into the cable.

8. In a connecter, a member and means to anchor it in a box knock-out opening, a screw threaded into and directed-at an angle to l the axis of the member so that the inner screw end points toward the edge of the box knock out opening, guide way means on each side of the screw, a U-shaped cable clamp having parallel plates joined by a head and a hole through the head, the parallel plates bein slidably mounted in the guide way means an the screw passing freely through the hole, the other end ofthe plates having angular edges adapted to bear on a cable for clamping engagement therewith and the edges being pointed at one end, and the plates being adapted to tilt in case a pulling force 'is exerted on the cable whereby the pointed edges grip hard against the cable.

9.- In a connecter, a sleeve and anchorage clamp carried by the sleeve and astride the means carried b the sleeve to fix the latter in a box hole, a ip formed on the sleeve and .a slot formed through the sleeve adjacent each side of the lip, a screw threaded into .the lip between the slots, a U-shaped cable lip, the U-shaped clamp forming parallel lates joined atone end by a head, a hole ormed through the head of the clamp through which the screw passes to retain the parallel plates of the clamp in the slots, :1 cable gripping edge upon the end of each plate thereby forming two spaced edges which bear on the cable on each side of the axis of the cable and along lines of contact whichare parallel to the cable axis.

' 10. In a connecter, a sleeve adapted to receive a cable and means to fix the connecter in a box knock-out hole, a screw threaded into the sleeve toward the cable buttoo short to reach the cable therein, a pair of s aced clamp plates joined at one end thereo by a head portion integral with the lates and a hole in the head portion throug which the screw is loosely inserted, guide way means formed in the sleeve to movably receive the clamp plates and the lates being parallel to the screw, and the ot er end of the clamp,

plates having spaced gripping edges whic bear on each side of the cable along a line substantially parallel to the cable axis.

11. In a connecter, a member and anchorage means to fix it in a box hole, a cable clamp, guide way means formed in the member to receive the same, said clamp consisting of a head and jaw plate means having s aced cable gripping edges, a screw threade into the member and mounted through a loose fitting hole provided in the head between the jaw plate means of the clamp, and the head of t e screw being adapted to enga e the head of the clamp to force thespacecf cable gripping edges into the cable.

12. In a connecter for armored cable and the like, a tubular connecter member adapted to receive the member to be clam d therein, a clamp carried with the tubuizi' member comprising a yoke having spaced clamp legs the egs being formed of at portions and disposed so that the ends thereof enga the member to be clamped along lines on eac side of and spaced from the axis thereof, and

operating means carried by the connecter member and engaging the yoke to force the yoke into the connecter member and to forcibly engage the member therein.

13. In a connecter for armored cable and the like, a connecter member to receive the member to be clamped therein, a clamp carried with the connecter member comprising parallel clam an en lon r than the spaced convolutions of the mem r to be clamped, the legs being disposed so that the ends thereofengage the parallel clamp legs, e

. a yoke h spaced legs I the le being lormed of flat portions aving member to be clamped along lines on each side of and parallel to the axis thereof, and operating means carried by the connecter member and engaging the yoke to force the yoke into the connecter member to forcibly. engage the member therein.

14. In a connecter, a connecter member to receive a member to be clamped therein, a clamp carried with the connecter member comprising a yoke having parallel clam le the legs being formed of flat portions, t e at portions being disposed at an angle to the axis of the member to be clamped and so that the ends thereof engage the member along lines on each side of and parallel to the axis thereof, and operatin means carried b the connecter member an engaging the yo e to force the yoke into the connecter member to forcibly engage the member to he clamped therein.

'15. In a connecter, a connecter member to receive a member to be clamped therein, spaced and parallel guide slots extending through a wall of the connecter member, a clamp carried with the connecter member comprising a yoke having arallel clamp legs extending throu h the gui ing formed of Eat portions and disposed so that the ends thereof en age the cable along lines on each side of and parallel to the axis of the member to be clamped, and operatin means carried by the connecter member an engaging the yoke to force the parallel clamp legs into the connecter member to forcibly engage the member to be clamped therein.

16. A connecter comprising .a connecter member adaptedto receive a member to be clamped therein, spaced and parallel guide slots extending through a wall of the connecter member, a clamp carried b the connecter member compnsing a yo e having the legs being forme of flat portions, t flat portions being disposed at an angle 'to the axis of the member to be clamped and .so that the ends thereof engage the connecter member alon lines on each side'of and parallel to the axle thereof, and operating means carried by the connecter member and engagipg the yoke to move the parallel clam legs into the connecter member e slots, the legs beand to forcib y engage the member and clamp I it within the connecter member.

17. A connecter comprising a connecter sleeve, a clamp carried with the sleeve including a yoke having spaced clamp legs, the legs bein'g'formed of flat portions and disposed so that the ends thereof engage a member adapted 'to be clamped along lines on each side of and spaced from the axis thereof, and operating means carried by the connecter s eeve and engaging the yoke to force the latter into the connecter sleeve to forcibly e ge and clamp .the member therein.

testimon whereofI afix m si G ORGE C. THO

ature.

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