COVER FOR FEED-THROUGH CONNECTOR
United States Patent 3705378
In a double-ended, or feed-through, connector wherein a pair of connector members are arranged back-to-back, for reception of cable plugs, a pair of preformed covers, such as of plastic, of identical construction having elements symmetrically arranged, and fitted on opposite sides of the connector members, frictionally fitted together, and together enclosing the space between the connector members and the connecting elements in that space.
US Patent References:
Electrical connectors
Klassen - April 1965 - 3179915
Plug-jack connector
Klassen - September 1966 - 3273105
Separable connector for flat multipleconductor cables
Cole et al. - June 1964 - 3137537
Electrical connectors
Klassen - April 1965 - 3179915
Plug-jack connector
Klassen - September 1966 - 3273105
Separable connector for flat multipleconductor cables
Cole et al. - June 1964 - 3137537
Application Number:
05/127456
Publication Date:
12/05/1972
Filing Date:
03/24/1971
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Assignee:
The Bunker-Ramo Corporation (Oak Brook, IL)
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
439/676
International Classes:
H01R31/00; H01R23/02
Field of Search:
339/18C,18P,141,154R,154A,155,156,176M,176MF,176MP,204,205,206,207,208
Other References:
Burgess, "Switchable Cable Connector," IBM Tech. Disc. Bulletin, Vol. 6, No. 5, page 42, October-1963.
Primary Examiner:
Champion, Marvin A.
Assistant Examiner:
Staab, Lawrence J.
Claims:
I claim
1. A connector unit comprising in combination,
2. Cover means for a double ended connector of the kind including a pair of connector members arranged back-to-back with oppositely outwardly exposed contacts for detachable engagement by other contacts, and a space between the connector members with conductors in the space interconnecting respective contacts in the connector members,
3. Cover means for a double ended connector of the kind including a pair of connector members arranged back-to-back with oppositely outwardly exposed contacts for detachable engagement by other contacts, and a space between the connector members with conductors in the space interconnecting respective contacts in the connector members, where said connector members each have a flange extending longitudinally beyond the remaining portions of the connector member,
4. A cover member for use in conjunction with double-ended connector means comprising,
5. A cover member according to claim 4 which also includes connector flange engaging formation at each of its four corners, each such formation including a pair of transversely spaced ribs forming a groove therebetween, the several grooves extending in parallel directions.
1. A connector unit comprising in combination,
2. Cover means for a double ended connector of the kind including a pair of connector members arranged back-to-back with oppositely outwardly exposed contacts for detachable engagement by other contacts, and a space between the connector members with conductors in the space interconnecting respective contacts in the connector members,
3. Cover means for a double ended connector of the kind including a pair of connector members arranged back-to-back with oppositely outwardly exposed contacts for detachable engagement by other contacts, and a space between the connector members with conductors in the space interconnecting respective contacts in the connector members, where said connector members each have a flange extending longitudinally beyond the remaining portions of the connector member,
4. A cover member for use in conjunction with double-ended connector means comprising,
5. A cover member according to claim 4 which also includes connector flange engaging formation at each of its four corners, each such formation including a pair of transversely spaced ribs forming a groove therebetween, the several grooves extending in parallel directions.
Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention resides in the field of double-ended connectors having connector members, which quite often are both male or both female, for connection with corresponding cables. The connector includes conductors between the connector members interconnecting the contacts therein. It is necessary to enclose that space and protect those conductors, and heretofore it has been the practice to provide such an enclosure by potting, or molding it in place.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
A broad object of the invention is to provide novel preformed cover means for a double-ended connector which can be applied merely by physically moving them toward each other into place over the members forming the connector, and such movement secures them together in an enclosure which completely encloses the space between the connector members.
Another object is to provide in feed-through connector means of the character referred to, wherein the cover means includes a pair of preformed cover members which can be fitted together over the space between the connector members and when so fitted together they completely enclose that space, both on the sides and at the ends.
Another and more specific object is to provide cover means of the kind immediately referred to, in which the cover members which are completely symmetrical, whereby to minimize the costs involved both in the manufacture of the cover members because all of them can be formed from a single mold, and also in the assembly of the cover members, which includes only picking any two such cover members without discrimination, and fitting them together over the connector members.
Another main object of the invention is to provide novel cover means for a double-ended connector of the general character referred to wherein great economy is realized in the elimination of molding or potting practices heretofore utilized, which were expensive, and in minimizing labor efforts necessary for applying the cover means to the connector members.
A further and specific object is to provide cover means for connector means of the character referred to including preformed members with novel interlocking connection whereby to prevent separation of the cover members without destroying them.
A further object is to provide a novel method of forming a double-ended connector means by producing a pair of connector members and forming them into a common connector, and enclosing the interrelated portions of those connector members by preformed cover means thereto.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION:
In the drawings
FIG. 1 is a face view of a connector made according to the present invention with indications of connector cables of the kind adapted for connection thereto;
FIG. 2 is a perspective and exploded view of a connector made according to the present invention, with a portion broken away;
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a pair of connector members that are connected together and the cover members making up the cover means;
FIG. 4 is a face view of the inner surface of a cover member; and
FIG. 5 is a side edge view of a cover member.
Referring in detail to the drawings, FIGS. 1-3 show a feed-through connector means including a pair of connector members and conductors connecting them together as in previously known devices. Such connector means in general are known, and are referred to variously in the trade as double-ended connectors, adaptors, jumpers, and "goof plugs." Such a connector means includes as its main components, the connector members and conductors interconnecting the contacts of the connector members, and means enclosing and protecting at least a portion of the connector members and the connections therebetween.
Referring to FIGS. 1-3 a connector of the character referred to above is indicated broadly at 10. The connector means includes a pair of connector members 12 of known kind each having a plurality of contacts that are interconnected by conductors 14. The contacts in the connector member may be both of the same character, i.e., both male or both female, or they may be one male and one female, etc., in a known manner. Such a connector means is utilized for connection therewith by cables 16 also of known kind. The connector members 12 heretofore have been enclosed by means of a potting process, or depositing molding material therearound, enclosing the space 18 between those connector members.
The present invention includes cover means 20 made up of a pair of identical cover members 22. The details of the construction of the cover members is given hereinbelow.
The connector members 12 are, from the standpoint of the application of the cover means 20 thereto, essentially identical, each having tubular portions 24 directed outwardly away from each other and inner portions 26 on opposite sides of the space 18 directed toward each other. The connector members, whether male or female, include a plurality of contacts 28 having outer elements 30 exposed in the tubular portions 24 for connection with corresponding elements in the cables 16, and inner terminals 32 in the inner portions 26 exposed on opposite sides of the space 18 interconnected by the conductors 14. Each connector member includes plate-like elements 36 on each of the portions 24, 26, which are fitted together and which together form flanges 38 which are utilized in applying the cover means to the connector members.
Each cover member 22 includes a main panel 40 of plate-like form having longitudinal reinforcing ribs 42 on the inner surface adjacent the edges thereof, and inturned end elements 43. At each end is interlocking means indicated generally at 44 which in itself includes a projection 46 and a recess 48, of identical shape as viewed in plan, and preferably L-shape for providing greater strength in each of transverse directions. The projections 46 and recesses 48 at opposite ends are symmetrically arranged, in all directions in the plane of the cover member, whereby to enable interfitting of a pair of identical cover members as referred to again hereinbelow.
Each cover member 22 also includes an interlocking formation 50 at each of the four corners, each formation including a pair of ribs 52 defining a groove 54 therebetween. If desired the intermediate portion of the main panel of the cover member may be reduced in width to form a waist portion 56 to reduce the overall size and mass of the cover member, this width being sufficient to cover the space intended between the connector members at that location.
The projections 46 and recesses 48 are quite specifically dimensioned so as to produce an interference fit, to prevent, from a practical standpoint, separation of the cover members once they are connected together.
Reference is now made to assembling the various components together to form the final completed device. At this point it is desired to refer again to the previous forms of the invention wherein once the connector members 12 are interconnected by the conductors 14, the potting or molding step completely enclosed the space and portions of the connector members, resulting in a unitary, and effectively integral device. In the present instance, the cover means 20 also produces a unitary device with the connector members 12, but with distinct advantages relative to the means and processes heretofore known. To form the final connector in the present case, a sub-assembly including the connector members 12 and conductors 14 are appropriately positioned; a first of the cover members 22, as at the bottom of FIG. 3, is put into position by moving it toward the connector members 12 as indicated by the arrow 58 into engagement therewith wherein the flanges 38 are received in the grooves 54, the final position being indicated in FIG. 2. Then another cover member 22 is positioned above the sub-assembly theretofore made, and is moved downwardly in the direction indicated by the arrow 60 into engagement with the connector members 12 and the bottom cover member 22. In this movement, the locking means 50 again operatively engages the flanges 38 and the projections 46 enter into respective ones of the recesses 48.
The dimensions and proportions of the various elements of each cover member 22 are such that when a pair of them are fitted to the connector members 12 the side edges of the main panel 40 of the cover members firmly engage the adjacent portions of the connector members such as the portions 26, and the projections 46 engage the recesses 48 in an interference fit. They can be put in position by relatively small force such as by squeezing them with the fingers. However, they cannot be separated by ordinary forces and in fact they can be separated, from a practical standpoint, only by breaking or destroying the cover members.
The main panels 40 of the cover members, as indicated above, completely cover the side portions of the space 18 and the end elements or flanges 43 extend down over the ends of the space 18 and meet when the cover members are interconnected, whereby the main panel members and end elements 43 together form a complete and continuous envelope or enclosure, entirely enclosing the space 18, protecting the various elements therein, including the inner ends of the contacts 28 and the conductors 14.
The cover members 22 may be made of any suitable material, such as polypropylene plastic material, molded to shape.
Great advantages are realized in the use of the present invention. A primary and foremost advantage is the elimination of the potting or molding of cover material in place as heretofore utilized, because in that case the placement of the plastic material in a covering position was extremely expensive, principally because of the time involved, such as the operator placing the sub-assembly in position and then molding the covering molded material in position. In the present instance great labor saving is effected because the operator can apply the cover members to the connector members by simply placing the two cover members to the connector members and manually squeezing them together.
Another great advantage is that if it should be found that the contacts in the connector members are improperly connected through the conductors 14, the cover members could be removed, and while this may involve destruction of the cover members, that fact is relatively small compared with the fact that the connector members themselves can be saved while that would not be possible in the potted covering means heretofore used. The replacement of new cover means involves very small cost compared with the value of the connector members. Still another advantage is that any rupture of the cover means that may have occurred after the device has been put into use would indicate possible tampering, which is of course an element of value in the marketing of the devices.
The invention resides in the field of double-ended connectors having connector members, which quite often are both male or both female, for connection with corresponding cables. The connector includes conductors between the connector members interconnecting the contacts therein. It is necessary to enclose that space and protect those conductors, and heretofore it has been the practice to provide such an enclosure by potting, or molding it in place.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
A broad object of the invention is to provide novel preformed cover means for a double-ended connector which can be applied merely by physically moving them toward each other into place over the members forming the connector, and such movement secures them together in an enclosure which completely encloses the space between the connector members.
Another object is to provide in feed-through connector means of the character referred to, wherein the cover means includes a pair of preformed cover members which can be fitted together over the space between the connector members and when so fitted together they completely enclose that space, both on the sides and at the ends.
Another and more specific object is to provide cover means of the kind immediately referred to, in which the cover members which are completely symmetrical, whereby to minimize the costs involved both in the manufacture of the cover members because all of them can be formed from a single mold, and also in the assembly of the cover members, which includes only picking any two such cover members without discrimination, and fitting them together over the connector members.
Another main object of the invention is to provide novel cover means for a double-ended connector of the general character referred to wherein great economy is realized in the elimination of molding or potting practices heretofore utilized, which were expensive, and in minimizing labor efforts necessary for applying the cover means to the connector members.
A further and specific object is to provide cover means for connector means of the character referred to including preformed members with novel interlocking connection whereby to prevent separation of the cover members without destroying them.
A further object is to provide a novel method of forming a double-ended connector means by producing a pair of connector members and forming them into a common connector, and enclosing the interrelated portions of those connector members by preformed cover means thereto.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION:
In the drawings
FIG. 1 is a face view of a connector made according to the present invention with indications of connector cables of the kind adapted for connection thereto;
FIG. 2 is a perspective and exploded view of a connector made according to the present invention, with a portion broken away;
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a pair of connector members that are connected together and the cover members making up the cover means;
FIG. 4 is a face view of the inner surface of a cover member; and
FIG. 5 is a side edge view of a cover member.
Referring in detail to the drawings, FIGS. 1-3 show a feed-through connector means including a pair of connector members and conductors connecting them together as in previously known devices. Such connector means in general are known, and are referred to variously in the trade as double-ended connectors, adaptors, jumpers, and "goof plugs." Such a connector means includes as its main components, the connector members and conductors interconnecting the contacts of the connector members, and means enclosing and protecting at least a portion of the connector members and the connections therebetween.
Referring to FIGS. 1-3 a connector of the character referred to above is indicated broadly at 10. The connector means includes a pair of connector members 12 of known kind each having a plurality of contacts that are interconnected by conductors 14. The contacts in the connector member may be both of the same character, i.e., both male or both female, or they may be one male and one female, etc., in a known manner. Such a connector means is utilized for connection therewith by cables 16 also of known kind. The connector members 12 heretofore have been enclosed by means of a potting process, or depositing molding material therearound, enclosing the space 18 between those connector members.
The present invention includes cover means 20 made up of a pair of identical cover members 22. The details of the construction of the cover members is given hereinbelow.
The connector members 12 are, from the standpoint of the application of the cover means 20 thereto, essentially identical, each having tubular portions 24 directed outwardly away from each other and inner portions 26 on opposite sides of the space 18 directed toward each other. The connector members, whether male or female, include a plurality of contacts 28 having outer elements 30 exposed in the tubular portions 24 for connection with corresponding elements in the cables 16, and inner terminals 32 in the inner portions 26 exposed on opposite sides of the space 18 interconnected by the conductors 14. Each connector member includes plate-like elements 36 on each of the portions 24, 26, which are fitted together and which together form flanges 38 which are utilized in applying the cover means to the connector members.
Each cover member 22 includes a main panel 40 of plate-like form having longitudinal reinforcing ribs 42 on the inner surface adjacent the edges thereof, and inturned end elements 43. At each end is interlocking means indicated generally at 44 which in itself includes a projection 46 and a recess 48, of identical shape as viewed in plan, and preferably L-shape for providing greater strength in each of transverse directions. The projections 46 and recesses 48 at opposite ends are symmetrically arranged, in all directions in the plane of the cover member, whereby to enable interfitting of a pair of identical cover members as referred to again hereinbelow.
Each cover member 22 also includes an interlocking formation 50 at each of the four corners, each formation including a pair of ribs 52 defining a groove 54 therebetween. If desired the intermediate portion of the main panel of the cover member may be reduced in width to form a waist portion 56 to reduce the overall size and mass of the cover member, this width being sufficient to cover the space intended between the connector members at that location.
The projections 46 and recesses 48 are quite specifically dimensioned so as to produce an interference fit, to prevent, from a practical standpoint, separation of the cover members once they are connected together.
Reference is now made to assembling the various components together to form the final completed device. At this point it is desired to refer again to the previous forms of the invention wherein once the connector members 12 are interconnected by the conductors 14, the potting or molding step completely enclosed the space and portions of the connector members, resulting in a unitary, and effectively integral device. In the present instance, the cover means 20 also produces a unitary device with the connector members 12, but with distinct advantages relative to the means and processes heretofore known. To form the final connector in the present case, a sub-assembly including the connector members 12 and conductors 14 are appropriately positioned; a first of the cover members 22, as at the bottom of FIG. 3, is put into position by moving it toward the connector members 12 as indicated by the arrow 58 into engagement therewith wherein the flanges 38 are received in the grooves 54, the final position being indicated in FIG. 2. Then another cover member 22 is positioned above the sub-assembly theretofore made, and is moved downwardly in the direction indicated by the arrow 60 into engagement with the connector members 12 and the bottom cover member 22. In this movement, the locking means 50 again operatively engages the flanges 38 and the projections 46 enter into respective ones of the recesses 48.
The dimensions and proportions of the various elements of each cover member 22 are such that when a pair of them are fitted to the connector members 12 the side edges of the main panel 40 of the cover members firmly engage the adjacent portions of the connector members such as the portions 26, and the projections 46 engage the recesses 48 in an interference fit. They can be put in position by relatively small force such as by squeezing them with the fingers. However, they cannot be separated by ordinary forces and in fact they can be separated, from a practical standpoint, only by breaking or destroying the cover members.
The main panels 40 of the cover members, as indicated above, completely cover the side portions of the space 18 and the end elements or flanges 43 extend down over the ends of the space 18 and meet when the cover members are interconnected, whereby the main panel members and end elements 43 together form a complete and continuous envelope or enclosure, entirely enclosing the space 18, protecting the various elements therein, including the inner ends of the contacts 28 and the conductors 14.
The cover members 22 may be made of any suitable material, such as polypropylene plastic material, molded to shape.
Great advantages are realized in the use of the present invention. A primary and foremost advantage is the elimination of the potting or molding of cover material in place as heretofore utilized, because in that case the placement of the plastic material in a covering position was extremely expensive, principally because of the time involved, such as the operator placing the sub-assembly in position and then molding the covering molded material in position. In the present instance great labor saving is effected because the operator can apply the cover members to the connector members by simply placing the two cover members to the connector members and manually squeezing them together.
Another great advantage is that if it should be found that the contacts in the connector members are improperly connected through the conductors 14, the cover members could be removed, and while this may involve destruction of the cover members, that fact is relatively small compared with the fact that the connector members themselves can be saved while that would not be possible in the potted covering means heretofore used. The replacement of new cover means involves very small cost compared with the value of the connector members. Still another advantage is that any rupture of the cover means that may have occurred after the device has been put into use would indicate possible tampering, which is of course an element of value in the marketing of the devices.